Historic names for two Norwegian built cruise ships

National Geographic Endurance is named for the three-masted barquentine in which Sir Ernest Shackleton and a crew of 27 men and one cat sailed to Antarctica on the 1914–1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

National Geographic Resolution is named for the HMS Resolution, the Royal Navy sloop which Captain James Cook sailed on his second and third voyages of exploration in the Pacific and Antarctic- between 1772 and 1780. She impressed him enough that he called her “the ship of my choice.” Resolution was the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle, crossing twice more in 1773 and again in 1774.
 
With the storied reputations of these two historic ships to live up to it is not surprising that the modern National Geographic Endurance left Reykjavik on her inaugural voyage exploring the icy waters and volcanic shores of Iceland

Polar Cruise Ships

Danger is never far away when cruising in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Ulstein’s revolutionary X-BOW design contributes greatly to the comfort and safety of passengers and crew. The X-BOW’s powerful wave-slicing action provides fuel efficiency and an extremely smooth ride, even in adverse conditions, reducing spray on deck for a superior observation experience. Both vessels are certified with Clean Design voluntary compliance with additional pollution prevention measures in advance of upcoming environmental regulations. Diesel-electric engines reduce consumption and emissions. With full design and build capabilities the Ulstein companies are becoming pre-eminent in the field of polar exploration vessels.

Safe Return to Port Solution

Zenitel’s safe return to port (SRtP) radio solution adds a new dimension to operations and safety. It provides secure, wireless UHF communications between almost any position on the ship. In any kind of emergency, including abandoning ship, it enables the ship’s safety crew, firefighters and incident commanders to communicate with two-way radios, regardless of where coordination is required, by incorporating extensive redundancy to prevent any single point of failure impacting the system.

Zenitel has supplied integrated, type-approved and certified systems for critical communications, data, safety and entertainment to the maritime market for more than 70 years. As integration experts on the Lindblad Expeditions’ ships Zenitel has fully linked SRtP with their public address and general alarm (PAGA) systems. Furthermore, critical messages can also be displayed through the internet protocol-based entertainment (IPTV) for public areas and crew accommodation.

By choosing Zenitel's Safe Return to Port (SRtP) UHF Communication Solution, these polar ships comply with the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) SRtP regulation for internal communication, and the solution is approved by DNV and RINA.

Lindblad Expeditions Polar Cruise Ships - FACT BOX