Greg Mortimer is the first in a series of six Infinity-class (Ulstein CX103 design) expedition vessels. Sisterships will be Ocean Explorer (February 2021), Ocean Victory (2021-March), Sylvia Earle (October 2021), Ocean Odyssey (March 2022), Ocean Discoverer (September 2022) and Ocean Albatros (October 2022t) Four more vessels will follow. Their owner SunStone Ships Inc. charters these vessels out to different companies. During construction the charterer can have the design modified to a certain extent, so the vessel is tailor made for their specific needs.
The first vessel in the series, Greg Mortimer will be chartered by Aurora Expeditions and is named after its co-founder (he founded the company together with his wife). He is famous for being one of the first two Australians to have climbed the Mount Everest in 1984.
The overall-project started on March 16, 2017 when SunStone Ships Inc. signed an agreement with China Merchants Industry Holdings from Hong Kong for construction of the first four ships at a cost of around USD 65 million each. SunStone Ships specialises in chartering expedition ships to companies specializing in this trade. An option was included in the agreement for a further six vessels with a planned delivery of one ship every six months. This schedule has been altered of course because of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
China Merchants turned to Ulstein Design from Norway (hence the Infinity-class of ships is often referred to as Project Ulstein CX103). Ulstein took care of the ships overall design, its automated onboard applications and navigational system. The Infinity-vessels will have the X-Bow design, which Ulstein has re-invented (it was first used for battleships early in the 20th century). It is an inverted bow with the farthest point not at the top as usual. This will improve the ships stability and also reduce pitching while in rough seas giving passengers a much smoother ride. Less drag means less fuel is needed, resulting in less pollution. Ulstein also was the main coordinator during the construction process.
China Merchants contracted IS Makinen Inc. from Finland to pre-fabricate the vessel’s public spaces and cabins. IS Makinen realized its own a cabin assembly plant and interior workshop facility at the China Merchants building site in China to be able to work more efficiently being present in situ.
Greg Mortimer and her sisters will be equipped with the latest technology like the Dynamic Positioning System (computer-controlled system enabling the ship to maintain a stationary position by using its bow-thruster and propellers without use of its anchor so no damage upon the seabed will be inflicted) as well as Rolls Royce Aquqrius SAR Zero Speed Stabilizers, a roll reduction system active when the ship is stationary. Of course they will comply with the latest SOLAS-regulations including having the Safe Return to Port system implemented. Having the highest ice-class 1A, Polar Class 6 classification, MS Greg Mortimer is able to navigate through 1 metre/ 3 feet thick ice. The 104 metres long, 18 metres wide ship has a draft of 5 metres and has a gross tonnage of 8,500.
On March 16, 2018, Greg Mortimer’s construction started at the Jiangsu FRP shipyard, Haimen China. Three months later her keel was laid and almost a year later after construction had begun, on March 12, 2019 the ship was floated-out from drydock. Mr. Greg Mortimer himself was present at the ceremony on behalf of the charterer, Aurora Expeditions. Both CEO’s of China Merchants Group and Sunstone Shipping, Mr. Xianpu Hu and Mr. Niels Erik Lund attended the ceremony too of course.
The naming ceremony took place on October 31 in Ushaia, Argentina. Her godmother was Margaret Mortimer, Mr. Mortimers wife and co-founder of Aurora Expeditions.
The ship’s power is provided by four Wartsila diesel engines (two W8L20 8-cylinder and two W6L20 6-cylinder diesels) and her propulsion system is diesel-electric (speed 15 knots). It was designed by Brunvoll Volda AS from Norway, a company specializing in marine propulsion, positioning and manoeuvring systems). They in turn had Damen Shipyards from the Netherlands design and fabricate the steering gear and both rudders.
Of course expedition cruising is all about visiting remote area’s and viewing spectacular wildlife. Greg Mortimer features several outdoor observation areas and forward two hydraulic viewing platforms have been installed which fold out for magnificent views of passing wildlife. These platforms were designed in conjunction with Greg Mortimer himself, and can be used when the ship sails at slow speed or is stationary in favourable weather conditions.
15 Zodiacs can be accessed from a tailor made 4 sea-level boarding platforms accessible from both port- and starboard sides which speeds up (dis-) embarkation for less time-consuming shoreside tendering and leaves guests more time for excursions.
The interior designs of the Infinity-class ships Tillberg Design (Florida, US) was contracted and inside, facilities include the main bar & lounge which doubles as a lecture hall, the observation lounge and bar on the top deck, deck 8, the dining room, library and art rooms, wellness centre (spa, gymnasium, sauna and massage rooms), lobby area with reception desk, the shop and finally the mud-room where passengers can change into wet-suits when leaving the vessel for one of its spectacular excursions.
Passenger capacity is 120 guests, max. 160 as half of Greg Mortimer’s 80 cabins can accommodate a third guest. Apart from the staterooms on deck 3, the Aurora-grade cabins which have portholes, the remaining 80% have private balconies and of these, 20 pairs are interconnecting cabins for larger parties (families) of 4 or 6 guests. Captain’s-, Junior- and Balcony suites are the most spacious accommodation onboard, they feature double-size balconies and offer in-room dining service with breakfast even served outdoors on the balcony if desired.
Apart from the usual amenities all staterooms feature a large 42-inch smart HDTV with satellite reception and a medical emergency button as an additional safety measure.
The vessel is technically managed by Cruise Management International Leisure (based in Miami, US) which specializes in small-ship fleet management. They take care of hotel services, food and beverage supplies and staffing.
Aurora Expeditions had originally planned Greg Mortimer’s maiden cruise to Antarctica for October 31, 2019 to be followed by voyages to Antartctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island as well as Arctic destinations Spitsbergen/ Svalbard Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Jan Mayen Island, but this was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 7, 2020 while sailing in Uruguayan waters, several passengers showed COVID-19 symptoms and shortly therafter, 128 guests tested positive. After passengers had finally left the ship, she went into lay-up.
SunStone Ships has until the advent of Greg Mortimer been chartering out a varied fleet several mostly older ships like the Ocean Adventurer, Ocean Nova, Ocean Diamond, Sea Spirit, Quest, Ocean Endeavour and Ocean Atlantic to different operators. The new Infinity-class vessels, besides bringing more facilities for passengers to enjoy will also rejuvenate Sunstone’s fleet considerably. The market has shown great interest in chartering these innovative ships.
