Quark
Expeditions has purchased the Sarpik Ittuk, an ice-strengthened
expedition ship, from Arctic Umiaq Line of Nuuk, Greenland, said
Quark President and CEO Patrick Shaw. It will be the first of
Quarks six-ship fleet that the company owns.
Sarpik Ittuk is
perfectly suited to expedition cruising in the polar regions," Shaw
said in a news release. We will employ the vessel in Antarctica
during the austral summer. We will also operate adventure cruising
programs in Greenland, the Baltic Sea, and Norway for one of our
client tour operators, Denmark-based tour operator Albatros
Travel.
The Sarpik Ittuk will
sail under a Bahamas flag. The ship was built in 1992 for Arctic
Umiaq Line and can accommodate 96 passengers in 44 outside
cabins.
The ship underwent
major engineering work in the winter of 1999 and an extensive
renovation in spring 2006, which included work to enhance the ships
expedition facilities, the addition of a glass-enclosed observation
lounge and the refitting of all cabins with new beds, furniture,
and fixtures, Quark said.
Quark Expeditions
specializes in small-ship polar and arctic sailings.
To contact
reporter Johanna Jainchill, send e-mail to[email protected].