In addition to being a research vessel and sailing university, Statsraad Lehmkuhl serves as a floating meeting place where politicians, business leaders, researchers, and community actors come together to share knowledge and find solutions. That is the ship’s main mission these weeks.
On October 22, Statsraad Lehmkuhl doced in Seattle, USA, marking the start of three weeks filled with lectures, workshops, and meetings, all centered on the future of the ocean. First in Seattle, then San Francisco, and finally San Diego.
The main focus: Ocean innovation and sustainability.
Message in a bottle
Local schools are also invited to take part - as part of the “Message in a Bottle” project.
The project encourages students and teachers to explore ocean-related topics such as marine science, climate change, and sustainability. Schools around the world are participating and sharing their findings with one another.
Drew School in San Francisco developed the educational materials and will present the project and its results so far during a major event on board when Statsraad Lehmkuhl visits the city on November 4.
“One Ocean Week Seattle”
But first, Statsraad Lehmkuhl visits Seattle, beeing both a landmark and a meeting point during “One Ocean Week Seattle”.
The event is inspired by the annual "One Ocean Week" in Bergen, Norway. The original conference opened for the first time on April 15, 2023, when Statsraad Lehmkuhl returned to her home port after the 20-month-long first One Ocean Expedition.
In Seattle, the event is organized by Washington Maritime Blue, an alliance of companies working with maritime innovation. Representatives from One Ocean Week Bergen and from Norwegian business, politics, academia, and tourism are also contributing to the conference.
– Over the last decade we've built really shared industry and business connections with Norway. Finding opportunities for partnership, finding opportunities for sharing innovation. And the Statsraad Lehmkuhl is the connector, says Joshua Berger, CEO of Washington Maritime Blue.
Monica Mæland, CEO of the Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, agrees.
– Seattle and Bergen have been sister cities for 60 years, and the close relationship between the two provides a strong foundation for further collaboration. One Ocean Week Seattle gives us a unique opportunity to strengthen ties that can open doors to new partnerships, trade, and value creation.
All of Seattle will notice what’s happening that week. Statsraad Lehmkuhl was accompanied by a flotilla of other vessels when she sailed into the harbor on the morning of October 22. On Saturday morning, the public is invited on board for an open-ship event and celebration. Both crew and researchers will be there to present and explain their work.
Open ship in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Hanna Helle
Open ship in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Hanna Helle
Open ship in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Hanna Helle
San Francisco
Statsraad Lehmkuhl departs Seattle on October 27 and sets course for San Francisco. Washington Maritime Blue remains on board, continuing its work during the southbound voyage.
The ship will dock at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 3, and on Tuesday, the deck will be filled with students participating in the "Message in a Bottle" event.
On Thursday, the "Sustainable Ocean Solutions Summit" takes place, a full-day conference bringing together leaders from science, policy, business, and innovation to develop concrete solutions for a healthy and sustainable ocean.
San Diego
On Friday, November 7, Statsraad Lehmkuhl continues south to San Diego. On this leg, the Sustainable Ocean Solutions community is on board.
The organization was launched during One Ocean Week 2023 in Bergen, and is a global network connecting science, industry, technology, policy, and investors to accelerate sustainable ocean action.
On board, participants meet for discussions and workshops - while also handling sails, standing lookout, keeping fire watches, and taking the helm.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrives in San Diego on November 11, during "Blue Tech Month". The conference is organized by TMA BlueTech, a cluster of companies developing new maritime technologies.
On Friday, November 14, a workshop will be held on board, hosted by TMA BlueTech and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, followed by an open-ship event on Saturday, organized in collaboration with the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Next stop Mexico
On Sunday, November 16, Statsraad Lehmkuhl leaves San Diego, bound for La Paz, Mexico.
On this leg, participants from Innovaciones Alumbra will combine academic work with sailing duties. The organization is a collective of actors working to develop models for economic growth that restore the environment, support local communities, and promote health and well-being.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl will arrive in La Paz on November 24, before continuing toward Herradura, Costa Rica, on November 26.
