Written by Hugh Francis Anderson
As Barba sets sail on the Arctic Sense 2021 expedition today, Expedition Director Andreas B. Heide took a few minutes to find out more about the crew onboard for the first stage with a quick Q&A.
“This broad team brings a diverse variety of skills to the platform and enables the vessel to undertake numerous research projects whilst operating smoothly,” says Andreas. “Let’s find out a little more about who’s onboard as we depart Stavanger today!”
By Tord Karlsen
Aksel Engebråten Ørstavik, Norwegian. Environmental Technology Student.
Duration: Stavanger to Svalbard
What skills do you bring to Barba & Arctic Sense?
“Navigation, freediving, drone photography, sailing, and an omelette chef.”
What are your top tracks for the expedition playlist?
- The Heavy – Short Change Hero
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Road Trippin’
- Green Day – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
What’s your motivation for being involved in the project and what do you hope to achieve from it?
“Ever since I watched Jacques Cousteau’s movies as a child, I really fell in love with the ocean, and it’s been a dream ever since to be a part of something like this project. What I hope to achieve is feeling like I’ve helped onboard, created memories of a lifetime both above and under the surface, as well as good friendships.”
What are you most looking forward to about your journey?
“The chatter in the cockpit and over supper between such an interesting group of people, and of course being accompanied by such beautiful scenery through the whole journey.”
Top 3 things you’ll be packing that you can’t be without?
- Freediving Gear
- Headphones
- Rag socks
Follow Aksel on Instagram @aksel.orstavik
By Tord Karlsen
Kristine Berg, Norwegian. Sustainability Manager
Duration: Stavanger – Tromsø
What skills do you bring to Barba & Arctic Sense?
“Sailing, photography, coffee maker, galley wizard & solid crew mate for night watches.”
What are your top tracks for the expedition playlist?
- Ntereni – Fatoumata Diawara
- Kråkesølv – Nordavind mot varme kinn
- The Shins – Girl Sailor
What’s your motivation for being involved in the project and what do you hope to achieve from it?
“Despite being an ocean-loving Norwegian, I have never sailed our west coast, so experiencing this gorgeous part of our coastline on a sailboat like Barba is such an amazing adventure. Sailing is always more fun and exciting when we do research along the way, it makes everyone more curious about the environment we’re in. So, the prospect of seeing whales through the eyes of a whale researcher is really exciting. And I hope to learn more about navigation, so I can keep building my confidence at sea.”
Anything else you’d like us to know?
“I’ll be coordinating a beach clean along the coast for the Barba crew. And I have set my eyes on sailing in the pacific in a few years, so I will continue growing and learning as a sailor.”
What are you most looking forward to about your journey?
“Night watches that turn to sunrises, seeing Lofoten from a sailboat, and having a good time with the great crew.”
Top 3 things you’ll be packing that you can’t be without?
“My camera, licorice candy, and coffee.”
Follow Kristine on Instagram @kristinemarieh
Photo by Tord Karlsen
Giulia Ercoletti, Italian. Marine Biologist.
Duration: Stavanger – Svalbard
What skills do you bring to Barba & Arctic Sense?
“Whale researcher with a lot of enthusiasm, and some Italian cooking skills too.”
What are your top tracks for the expedition playlist?
- This Must Be The Place – Talking heads
- Coastline – Hollow Coves
- Simple things- Ziggy Alberts
What’s your motivation for being involved in the project and what do you hope to achieve from it?
“Working for the conservation of our ocean and its inhabitants. My wish with this expedition is that people are going to be more aware of how fragile our planet is and how together we can make a big difference to protect it.”
Anything else you’d like us to know?
“I really wish to keep doing what I love, which is being out at sea, sailing, looking for whales and sharing my passion to help protect our oceans.”
What are you most looking forward to about your journey?
“Whale encounters and sharing my journey with great people, and to learn as much as I can from all the crew members.”
Top 3 things you’ll be packing that you can’t be without?
- My mum’s good luck bracelet
- The Cultural Lives of Whales and Dolphins by Hal Whitehead and Luke Rendell
- Warm socks
Follow Giulia on Instagram @giulia_ercoletti
By Tord Karlsen
Marta Trodahl, Norwegian. PhD candidate in Oceanography.
Duration: Stavanger-Tromsø
What skills do you bring to Barba & Arctic Sense?
“Knowledge about physical oceanography and I will bring a CTD device that can measure temperature, salinity and pressure from the surface down to 100m. And I’m overly cheerful during the morning time.”
What are your top tracks for the expedition playlist?
“I will test the waters with tracks from Niclas Paschburg, Nils Fram and Ólafur Arnalds.”
What’s your motivation for being involved in the project and what do you hope to achieve from it?
“My motivation is going to sea again after years behind a desk with ocean modeling and theory. I would love to combine both. Also, a big motivation is to connect with other people who are passionate about the ocean and about communicating knowledge & awareness of the ocean. I hope to learn the basics of sailing and am super excited for this. I also hope to learn more about marine life and hope that we as a crew can inspire each other.”
Anything else you’d like us to know?
“Next, I’ll hand in my PhD and start working at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute in the department of Ocean and Sea Ice as an ocean modeler.”
What are you most looking forward to about your journey?
“Simply being at sea!”
Top 3 things you’ll be packing that you can’t be without?
“I’m keeping to the strict packing list, but I never go far without my laptop – I do a lot of coding, and a solution to a puzzle may suddenly pop up after a hike or activity. Also Aveda hair products and storytell.”
Link with Martha on LinkedIn here.
Featured photo by Andreas B. Heide
