Aurora Expeditions‘ second Ulstein-bow equipped ship, Sylvia Earle, has been launched at the CMHI shipyard in Haimen, China.According to Ulstein Group, Sylvia Earle was launched in China at a ceremony that took place on 18 March 2021, coinciding with the keel laying of Ocean Odyssey, both ships under construction for the US-based SunStone Ships and chartered to Aurora Expeditions and Vantage Cruise Line respectively.Steel-cutting for the 132-passenger ship Sylvia Earle commenced just 12 months ago in March 2020, followed by the keel-laying in July. Sea trials have been earmarked for July ahead of delivery to Aurora Expeditions in October.Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.Each of the decks on the Polar Class 6 expedition vessel are named after pioneering female conservationists; Dr. Carden Wallace AM, Joanna Ruxton, Sharon Kwok and Bernadette Demientieff – along with a deck dedicated to
oceanographer and explorer, Dr. Earle herself.The new purpose-built ship Sylvia Earle is slated to begin operation in November 2021.For more information, see auroraexpeditions.com.au
Meanwhile, SunStone Ships’ next two newbuilds, Ocean Victory (chartered by Albatross Expeditions/Victory Cruise Line) and Ocean Explorer (chartered by Vantage Cruise Line), are also nearing their completion at the CMHI yard.
