|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Please note: updates are posted with the latest one at the top. December 2025 The search for a suitable Etap 39s is proving ambitious. Two were for sale in the Netherlands in November, and both boats were in need of 'a bit of love'. That's what we call a boat that has been neglected in terms of maintenance. At this time, early December 2025, one boat appears to have just been sold. The one still for sale was visited and inspected. The boat appears to be basically in good condition (hull, mechanicals), but has a teak deck in very poor condition. It needs to be completely replaced. All lines, a saildrive sleeve, and possibly the rigging are also in need of replacement. Not a big deal, but the costs will be considerably higher. An alternative is to look for an Etap 38i, of which there are also several for sale. This boat offers virtually the same space as the 39s, so it might be a good option. The coming months will be all about searching, viewing, knot counting, and possibly making an offer. October 2025 Because building a completely new ship immediately requires a very high investment and has a construction time of approximately 1.5 years, it has been decided to launch the Ocean Traveler project with a pilot project. If the pilot project is successful and attracts many supporters, followers, boarders, etc., we will continue. The vision for a first mission in May 2027 also aligns very well with this decision: visiting nature projects in countries such as Denmark, Norway, Scotland, and Spain. This doesn't yet require a ship fully equipped for an ocean crossing! The search is now underway for a suitable ship for the expeditions in the first two years: an Etap 39s. This ship is designed and built for ocean voyages, but with a significantly lower investment. Given its "ocean category," it is slightly overqualified for the European expeditions, which feels very positive. If, as mentioned, the pilot project is successful, we can look ahead to ocean crossings and expeditions to nature projects in far-flung destinations. A remarkably sustainably designed and Dutch-built catamaran, the VAAN R4, is currently being considered for this purpose. End of September 2025 Preparations are underway for the establishment of the Ocean Traveler Foundation. This foundation will maintain and manage the ship. Like many non-profit organizations, this foundation will be funded by fundraising, sponsorship, and dedicated donors. The initiators will cover the necessary equipment (diving/filming) and all their own direct costs. September 2025 The project plan is complete and has been thoroughly assessed for risks and feasibility. The list of conservation projects worthy of coverage is growing. And cameraman Hilmar is advancing his craft as a nature filmmaker through his collaboration with a Canadian nature filmmaker. In the coming months, the focus will be on the most important requirement for the Ocean Traveler project: finding and involving a small group of founding fathers. They will be asked to jointly finance the expedition vessel. The costs of equipping the vessel, such as diving and camera equipment, an air compressor, communication equipment, etc., will be covered by the initiators themselves. Passengers can also sail along to beautiful locations for a fee and see and experience the conservation projects up close. The proceeds will benefit the foundation. First, however, the financing for the vessel must be secured. Then the Ocean Traveler project can actually begin searching for and building the vessel and preparing for the first mission! August 2025 After visiting and diving at Stromsholmen Seasportcenter, part of a Norwegian nature reserve, Marco and Hilmar made a decision: the positive effects of nature conservation projects should and must be better recognized. There needs to be a little more hope for a better future in a world that seems dark and hopeless. A long-standing idea is dusted off and revived: a sailing voyage around the world, visiting conservationists and their projects to report on the positive effects of those projects. Former astronaut Wubbo Ockels' ship seemed ideal for this project. It is a spacious and striking vessel, suitable for long sea voyages. And it is for sale. Phone calls with the owner follow, and the ship is visited and thoroughly inspected. Unfortunately, it turns out that the ship is less suitable for accommodating six people and would require significant modifications for use as an expedition vessel. These modifications make it an unsustainable choice, even though the ship was originally designed and built sustainably. |
|
Ocean Traveler Foundation(io) Vogelweg 4A 6862 GH Oosterbeek The Netherlands Ph. +31 26 495 02 02 post@oceantraveler.nl |
|
