We embarked on Le Commandant Charcot in Longyearbyen on September 5, 2025, beginning an intensive research cruise across the Arctic Ocean toward Nome, Alaska. The first days were dedicated to preparing the ship and scientific systems, including maintenance of temperature sensors and data loggers installed in the ship hull, installing the Dynamic Motion Unit (DMU), unpacking and assembling ice station equipment, and testing key instruments and monitoring setups.
Our fieldwork began on September 12 with the first ice station, where we collected salinity samples, measured ice temperatures, and conducted mechanical testing. In the following days, we carried out ice trials and processed samples on board. Reaching the Geographic North Pole on September 14 was a major milestone, allowing us to perform comprehensive measurements at two sampling sites. Two days later, we repeated similar work at the Magnetic North Pole, continuing our systematic investigation of sea-ice properties.
As we continued westward, we completed the remaining ice stations at the Arctic Pole of Inaccessibility and across the central Arctic, bringing the total to eight ice stations with a total of ten sampling sites conducted during the cruise. Our final station on September 22 took place in the marginal ice zone and included a Zodiac landing on a small ice floe. The last days on board were devoted to securing and saving all collected data, dismantling and packing scientific equipment, and preparing for arrival in Nome.
More detailed news articles focusing on the individual tasks and scientific activities carried out during the cruise will be published in upcoming entries. Stay tuned!
