The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which is a three masted ship is sailing on a 20-month long circumnavigation holding 90 students from the University of Bergen in Norway.

The ship anchored outside of Panama in Rarotonga left early yesterday for Fiji.

Helene Spurkeland, who works for the Lehmkuhl Foundation´s office in Bergen, Norway, said the crew were halfway through a 20-month circumnavigation or sailing trip called The One Ocean Expedition which departed Norway in August last year.

Spurkeland said the 108-year-old ship was equipped with a number of scientific measuring instruments that continuously collected samples such as levels of carbon dioxide, micro-plastic, ocean acidification and ocean temperature.

“Equipped with modern instrumentation the ship serves as a floating university and training vessel combined, bringing students, scientists, trainees and professionals together on different legs,” she said.

“The One Ocean Expedition is an official part of the UN Decade of Marine Research and aims to create awareness and share knowledge about a sustainable ocean.”

The ship was previously in Tahiti where five cases of Covid-19 were discovered on board. The cases have meant no crew members were allowed to step onto Rarotonga.

“Of course, we think this is sad, especially for the 90 students who are taking a special course on sustainability and leadership for four months on board the ship,” Spurkeland said.