Sir Ranulph expedition ship arrives in Canary Wharf

Sir Ranulph expedition ship arrives in Canary Wharf
By Rob Virtue on November 30, 2012 11:50 AM |


A ship aiming to be part of the first ever trans-Antarctic winter crossing has docked in Wood Wharf.

Led by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the Coldest Journey expedition will see the specially adapted SA Agulhas travel nearly 2000 miles in almost complete darkness and in tempretures of minus 90 degrees celcius in a never before attempted challenge.

During its time in Canary wharf, the ship will be loaded with vital equipment and supplies for the journey.

The project team which includes Brian Newham, Ian Prickett, Spencer Smirl, Richmond Dykes and Dr Robert Lambert will carry out scientific experiments whilst on the ice and also raise money for Seeing Is Believing, an internationl charity focused on tackling avoidable blindness.

Sir Ranulph said: "Seeing is Believing is a cause very dear to me. Having experienced temporary snow blindness myself in the past, I've had a glimpse into what it would be like to lose my sight. It's absolutely frightening. I was moved by the challenge of eliminating avoidable blindness and I wanted to be a part of it.

"The Coldest Journey has the potential to make a real impact towards the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness around the world."

The journey will begin on 21 March 2013 at the winter equinox and could be 68-year-old Sir Ranulph's final expedition.