Download ship info & deck plan (pdf)


M/v Plancius accommodates 53 passenger cabins, all with private toilet and shower

MV Plancius

M/v "Plancius" was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman". The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions.

The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 110-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v "Plancius" is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.

Check here our Plancius flyer with all details. (PDF)

M/v "Plancius" accommodates 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).

All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 triple cabins (bunk beds and 1 lower bed).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v "Plancius" has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.

M/v "Plancius" is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel will fully meet our demands to achieve this.

The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.

M/v "Plancius" is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
 

Ice class: Plancius was built for Ice conditions. To reach these ice-conditions she has a strengthened bow and stern. The hull is thicker and the whole construction on the waterline of the vessel is reinforced by using extra frames. Where the normal frame spacing is 65cm, we have on the bow-line and stern also frames in between so there the frame spacing is approx 30cm. Because Plancius was built to do surveys she has a special six blade bronze propeller, the shape of the propeller makes Plancius a very silent ship. Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters (which is our waterline).

Length: 89 metres (293 feet)
Breadth: 14,5 metres (47 feet)
Draft: 5 metres (16 feet)
Ice class: 1D
Displacement: 3175 tonnes
Engines: 3x Diesel-Electric
Speed: 10 - 12 knots
Passengers: 110

Field camping

Everybody can participate, no previous experience required
Max. number is limited to 15 persons per night
Once in a lifetime , intensive experience of Antarctica!
Polar guides onboard MV Plancius are experts in their field and experienced
Equipment provided (bivouac & sleeping bag, mats, tents)
Field camping option will be offered on all Plancius voyages in Antarctica 09/10
Field camping is subject to weather, local site a. environmental regulations
Supplement: Please see our dates & rates for the camping supplement.
1night can be booked prior to trip, any additional night can be arranged onboard

Oceanwide Expeditions offers on all Antarctic 2010/11 mv Plancius departures an exciting ‘open air' camping option, which gives an intensive experience of Antarctic wilderness. Oceanwide Expeditions will provide special gear and field equipment which includes top quality wind and waterproof bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to tent system). Tents for a little bit more comfort will also be brought ashore. Polar sleeping bags will keep campers dry, warm and comfortable during the night in the open air of Antarctica. The night ashore will be supervised by 1 field camping guide. Please note that camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations.

Clothing
As conditions can change rapidly, make sure you have clothing and equipment suitable for the worst weather.

Important personal clothing and gear to bring (required):

"pee" bottle (there are special ones for ladies in outdoor shops available)
thermal underwear
fleece vest or jacket
down jacket
breathable (eg. Gore-Tex®) jacket and trousers
warm hat
turtle neck (neck gaitor)
thermal under gloves (fleece finger gloves)
warm gloves (mittens)
thick socks (plus spare socks)
good sunglasses
sun cream / sun block

The following items will be provided by Oceanwide Expeditions

warm, insulated rubber boots
bivouac bag
mattress
polar sleeping bag
portable field toilet
tents (1 tent per 3 persons)
waterproof bag

Please note...
Cotton clothing like normal t-shirts and jeans are not advisable as cotton tends to get wet and stay wet while moving in a cold environment. Use thermal underwear.
Exploring remote and wild regions like Antarctica require a sensible and flexible approach. Although there can be bright skies with sunshine the weather is unpredictable. Catabatic winds, caused by the icecaps and glaciers, can pick up suddenly and are a fierce opponent for polar travellers. This might lead to the cancellation of planned camp nights as field camping can and will only take place in safe weather conditions.

Min / max participant number:
1 person min / 15 persons max + 1 field guide