PERSEVERANCE is an oceanographic sailboat leading a major expedition to document and protect Antarctica’s most fragile ecosystems. By navigating through Antarctica’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), PERSEVERANCE collects essential ecological and visual data, highlighting one of the planet’s least observed yet most threatened regions. The vessel bears witness to the vulnerability of these waters and amplifies the global call for their protection.
Primarily sail-powered and equipped with a nitrogen emission reduction system, it embodies a new generation of more sustainable and responsible expeditions. Featuring a dedicated space, scientific equipment, and autonomy adapted to extreme conditions, PERSEVERANCE carries researchers and instruments to better understand the Southern Ocean. It will also serve as a supply vessel for the Polar POD, continuing our commitment to nature-powered expeditions.
Key figures
Longueur : 43,64 m
Length: 43.64 m
Beam: 11 m
Masts: 33 m each
Draft: 4.15 m
Crew: 8
Scientists: 12
Target speed: 10 knots
Sail area: 730 m²
Hull: Aluminum
Flag: France
To find out more about the vessel and voyages aboard Perseverance
PERSEVERANCE Design
PERSEVERANCE was designed to carry out two essential missions: resupplying the Polar POD during its circumnavigations of Antarctica and conducting oceanographic campaigns in the most remote areas. In these formidable Southern Ocean waters—specifically the legendary “Furious Fifties”—sailors face violent winds, colossal waves, and drifting ice fields.
The schooner’s design reflects these exacting standards. Its robust aluminum hull and high freeboard enable it to withstand rough, icy seas. Propelled primarily by sail, *Perseverance* follows in the tradition of great polar expedition vessels, paying tribute to Ernest Shackleton’s *Endurance*, which was lost in the Weddell Sea in 1915. Yet the ship is also forward-looking: its rigging and equipment have been specifically engineered to tackle extreme conditions while incorporating the latest maritime technological advances.
With its three decks, PERSEVERANCE offers over 700 m² of interior space, enabling ambitious oceanographic campaigns to be conducted under demanding navigational conditions. It features storage areas for provisions and equipment, as well as a 30 m² scientific workspace. At the stern, an innovative slipway facilitates the launching of two tenders—even while underway and in open water—ensuring safe transfers in the most challenging conditions.
