This summer, the ABEL TASMAN, a 75-ft steel-hulled Bermuda Schooner, embarked on a historic journey through the fabled Northwest Passage. UK Sailmakers Norway is proud to be a key partner in the 2024 Northwest Passage Ocean Science Expedition, providing sails designed for durability and performance in some of the planet’s most extreme and rapidly changing conditions.
Led by Expedition Leader Keith Tuffley and Science Advisor Johan Rockström, the expedition aims to investigate six Planetary Tipping Points, gathering crucial data on ocean plastics, biodiversity, marine acoustics, and other pressing environmental concerns. This research will help raise global awareness of the accelerating impact of climate change in the Arctic, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world.
The Ocean Science Expedition aims to investigate six Planetary Tipping Points, by collecting environmental data on ocean plastics, biodiversity, marine acoustics and more. Photos Ⓒ Ocean Science Expedition.
The ABEL TASMAN crew is a diverse and dedicated group that includes award-winning filmmakers, sound designers, paragliders, divers, and young scientists, all driven by their passion for exploration and environmental advocacy. Their voyage follows in the footsteps of famed Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen, who first navigated the Northwest Passage in 1905. With fewer than 40 yachts ever completing this challenging route, the ABEL TASMAN’s journey underscores the gravity of the changes taking place in the Arctic.
The Climate Stripes Gennaker: A Symbol of Urgency and Action
One of the most striking elements of this expedition is the custom gennaker sail created for the ABEL TASMAN. Designed with the Climate Stripes—an internationally recognized visual representation of global warming—this sail serves as a stark reminder of how quickly our planet is heating due to human-caused climate change. Developed by climate scientist Professor Ed Hawkins, each stripe represents a year’s average global temperature relative to the long-term average, dating back to 1850. The temperature rise over the past 30 years is striking, providing a visual cue of the urgent need for action.
The sail was first tested near the location where the Franklin Expedition ships, the EREBUS and TERROR, became trapped in ice nearly two centuries ago. In 1846-48, Victoria Strait and Peel Sound were solid walls of ice, but when the ABEL TASMAN sailed through these waters just a few weeks ago, they were predominantly ice-free. Recent data shows the Arctic is warming at four times the global average, with catastrophic implications for sea ice and global ocean systems.
The Climate Stripes gennaker is more than just a sail—it’s a call to action. With every nautical mile, it reminds us of the changes our planet is facing. Keith Tuffley stated, “With the right winds, our gennaker is a joy to sail. And whilst it’s a stark reminder of climate change, it’s also a visual inspiration for the actions and systemic changes we need to make to stabilise Earth’s climate and ‘Bring Back the Blue.’”
This is also a historic moment for the Climate Stripes. “This is the first time that the Climate Stripes have been shown at sea, and we wish to thank our sailmakers, Mehmet Taylan, UK Sailmakers Norway, and UK Sailmakers Turkey for turning our idea into reality,” said Tuffley.
To follow this incredible journey and learn more about the expedition, visit the Ocean Science Expedition website or follow @oceanscienceexpedition on Instagram.
UK Sailmakers: Pioneering Sustainable Sailing Practices
At UK Sailmakers, we are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and supporting sustainable sailing practices. A key initiative is our partnership with environmentally conscious sailcloth providers such as Challenge Sailcloth and Dimension Polyant, who have developed laminate and woven sail materials using recycled components and sustainable manufacturing processes. These materials not only offer the same strength, durability, and performance as traditional sailcloth but also provide increased UV resistance, resulting in longer-lasting sails and reduced waste.
In addition to sourcing eco-friendly materials, we take an innovative approach to waste reduction during sail production. Our lofts use advanced software to optimize cutting patterns, drastically reducing sailcloth off-cuts. These remnants don’t go to waste—they are repurposed for future sail repairs, transformed into duffel bags for regatta prizes, or donated to community projects.
UK Sailmakers is also proud to lead the charge in adopting environmentally friendly sail designs, such as the zippered luff spinnaker. This design eliminates the need for traditional yarn or elastic banding, which often ends up in waterways, helping to prevent marine pollution. Every step we take brings us closer to a more sustainable future for sailing and the planet.
Our partnership with the Ocean Science Expedition and the creation of the Climate Stripes gennaker is just one example of how we’re using our expertise to support environmental advocacy and research. By investing in sustainable materials, reducing waste, and pushing the boundaries of sail design, we are helping to ensure that the sport we love thrives alongside healthy oceans and ecosystems.
