Project Description:
Compagnie du Ponant's three French flagged small cruise vessel m/v L'AUSTRAL, will be making the following Arctic cruises in 2022:
L'AUSTRAL
Kangerlusuaq, Greenland to Kangerlusuaq, Greenland from July 27, 2022 to August 9, 2022.
Kangerlusuaq, Greenland to Kangerlusuaq, Greenland from August 9, 2022 to August 25, 2022.
Kangerlusuaq, Greenland to Nome, Alaska from August 25, 2022 to September 15, 2022
During this cruise, the vessel will be stopping at various locations in Nunavut.
Compagnie du Ponant has several projects on file; Most recently 149151 in 2019.
The vessel specializes in luxury adventure cruising and carries a maximum of 264 passengers and 139 crew members. The passengers are predominately French nationals and the crew are a mix of French, Philippine, Indonesian and Mauritian nationalities.
L'AUSTRAL is equipped with a GMDSS emergency communication system and a satellite weather system, receiving real-time satellite images of weather and ice conditions in the area. The vessel also employs the latest environmental practices and technology which conform to the “Clean ship standard (meets or exceeds all IMO, EPA and IATO operating standards), including using the cleanest-burning marine gas oil fuel and a state-of-the-art positioning system that eliminates the need for dropping anchor in fragile marine reserves. All waste, waste water and waste oil generated will be retained onboard until a port with suitable discharge facilities is available and the vessel will only intake seawater for desalination in order to provide potable water for onboard consumption.
The intention for the majority of calls is to either anchor or stop offshore and land passengers ashore using the vessel's Zodiacs. The vessel carries a fleet of 10 to 12 seat Zodiacs, which allow passengers to explore remote shores where there are no docking arrangements. They can nimbly cruise alongside coastlines, landscapes, ice formations and wildlife without disturbing the natural environment. L'AUSTRAL's Zodiacs feature fuel-efficient motors that comply with all environmental protection standards.
Once passengers are landed ashore, they will be able to explore the location they are visiting in small groups. They will be assisted by crew members who are trained guides and naturalists that will provide safety guidance and information on the environment. The information supplied is specific to each location and is made in an effort to afford protection and conservation of the locations visited. Passengers will be instructed on where they should go, what to avoid and what is and isn't acceptable so as to avoid causing damage to any sites or to the environment they are visiting. The utmost care will be taken to provide an informative and positive experience without disruptive consequences. Crew members will also be stationed to provide a Polar Bear watch for passenger safety. Any firearms these crew will carry will be properly documented with the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA).
Passenger and crew member involvement at these remote ports of call is meant for the purpose of personal interest and the activity undertaken will be confined to sightseeing only. No flora, fauna, soil, artifacts, remains or other material will be disturbed or collected for research purposes. As well, no structures will be erected and no equipment or other debris will be left ashore. L'AUSTRAL is a cruise vessel providing adventure tourism opportunities to its passengers and is not a research or education vessel.