Research partners

Because EUROPA crosses oceans and sails to remote locations rarely visited by other ships, she can contribute to important data related to oceanographic science, weather forecasting and climate change. We enjoy working with partners from all over the world and hope that this way we can do our part for a more sustainable future.

Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI)

The KNMI has selected EUROPA to monitor the weather whilst at sea. They have supplied the ship with specialized equipment for taking observations and sharing this data with the KNMI. All trainees are welcome to help us make weather observations and learn more about meteorology and weather patterns.

Research station — When in port, we welcome the public to join us for open ship events, lectures and activities, sharing our stories to raise awareness about the state of the oceans and how you can support a sustainable future.

International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)

As a member of IAATO we promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic. We recognize the potential environmental impact that growing numbers of tourism could cause and therefore promote safe travel in this remote and delicate region of the world. With our trips to Antarctica we hope to make our guests more aware of the untouched landscapes and the power of nature and hope that after this trip they will become ambassadors for the preservation of Antarctica. To support this process, we have professional guides on board, each with a different background in, for example, history, flora or fauna of Antarctica. In addition, we prepare our guests thoroughly with the help of extensive brochures from IAATO.

Seabird Survey — Participating in these projects fosters discussions about topics such as ocean currents, water temperature and wildlife. It is a great way to look over the horizon with a new perspective.

Polar Citizen Science Collective

During the Antarctic season, Bark EUROPA partners up with the Polar Citizen Science Collective to facilitate research and public education by connecting researchers, research institutes and tour operators in the polar regions. This collaboration aims to meet the needs of the scientific community while involving voyage crew in data collection projects. By participating in these projects, EUROPA helps gather valuable data from remote locations, while providing an educational experience for the (voyage) crew.

Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

Bark EUROPA was selected by UN coordinators from the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO to deploy floaters contributing to the Global Ocean Observing System. As such, she contributed to the collection of data vital for the development of climate forecast and climate change detection. In 2016 EUROPA was awarded with a certificate of appreciation from the WMO observation team for her exceptional contributions to the marine data collection program.