Brodosplit delivers Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine

'This game-changing ship was delivered after more than five years of dedicated work and considerable financial resources,' Quark President Andrew White said. 'This commitment of time and money, especially during an industry-challenging pandemic, reflects our confidence in the future of polar travel and underscores our commitment to delivering life-changing polar experiences no one ever thought possible.'

The 128-meter/420-foot Ultramarine accommodates 199 passengers and 140 staff and crew. The vessel was built to ice class 1A+/PC 6, and has a cruising speed of 16 knots. It is registered in the Marshall Islands.

Exploration tools

Features include two twin-engine H145 helicopters, operated from two heliports, and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs with four embarkation points. These facilitate adventures like flightseeing, heli-hiking and helicopter-supported alpine kayaking, among others.

Public rooms include a glass-enclosed panorama lounge and bar, an auditorium with a high-resolution LED screen wall for expedition team presentations, a restaurant with direct access to a wraparound deck and an indoor/outdoor bistro.

Other facilities are a spa, fitness center and sauna — all with ocean views, a polar boutique and two ready rooms with wider hallways, seating and conveniently located restrooms.

Waste converted into energy

Ultramarine's environmental features include the Micro Auto Gasification System to convert waste into energy at the site where it's generated, eliminating the impact of waste transportation.

Praise for Brodosplit and design team

'The completion of Ultramarine — with its superior on-ship amenities and advanced technology — is a testament to the community of engineers, naval architects, welders, structural fabricators, riggers, electricians and all of the other crew at the Brodosplit shipyard, as well as the designers, innovators and operational team members in the Quark Expeditions head office who’ve worked long and hard over the last three years,' said Malcolm Ellis, SVP operations for Quark, who attended the handover in Split, Croatia.

'So many people have contributed to the building of this vessel, and that includes our expedition team whose input spurred so many of the innovations that catapult Ultramarine into a league of its own,' Ellis added.