Arctic Expedition Supported By Havwoods

On the morning of May 20th, Newhaven watched as the yellow converted lifeboat Stødig took to the open seas, just a year after it had arrived in Newhaven. Stødig was originally a 100 person survival lifeboat, bought from CalMac Ferries in Scotland and delivered by low loader to Newhaven in East Sussex. Guylee and David converted it over 18 months with considerable local support and a range of sponsors, including Havwoods. We were honoured to be associated with such an amazing journey and assisted Simmonds and Schnabel with the renovation as we provided our popular Canadian Maple from the Gold Leaf range to be used in the kitchen and dining area of the boat.

On August 28th, just over three months and 4,000km since their departure from Newhaven, Stødig and her crew have crossed the line of latitude that marks the Arctic Circle. Their route took them via 7 other countries and having overcome engine trouble in the Baltic, they have made steady progress north. They are now only a month away from their destination, Tromsø which they will use as a base to continue to explore Arctic Norway.

Stødig is equipped with solar and wind power, a composting toilet and generous space for both equipment and guests. Huge curved windows allow panoramic views out, and light in. The unsinkable lifeboat has been the architect’s spacious blank canvas for conversion into a utilitarian expedition vessel.

For full details visit their website, which also lists their sponsors and messages of support from fellow adventurers Mark Beaumont and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. They are also raising funds for the healthcare charity Health Hope Action.

To see the full film on the expedition, click here.