S/V NOORDERLICHT OVERVIEW

The s/v Noorderlicht stands out as one of the finest vessels for Ski & Sail adventures, offering a rare balance of comfort, intimacy, and classic schooner elegance. Her layout provides ample space for relaxation without losing the cozy atmosphere that makes life on board feel personal and connected. Below you’ll find a selection of images that showcase her character and charm—giving you a glimpse of what awaits when you step aboard this spring. It’s easy to see why we’re thrilled to be running another Noorderlicht Ski & Sail expedition this year.

SHIP’S DETAILS

Name: Noorderlicht	Nationality: Dutch
Rigging: Two masted schooner	Sail area: 550 m²
Year built: 1910	Ice class: strengthened bow
Homeport: Harlingen, the Netherlands	Sailing area: Spitsbergen & Norway
Draft: 3.20 m	Max. passengers: 20
Length overall: 46.20 m	Crew: 5
Breadth: 6.50 m	Current position: follow here

LIFE ON BOARD

Since 1994, the Noorderlicht, with her distinctive red hull, has been a familiar sight in the waters of Svalbard and coastal Norway. Over the years she has earned a reputation as a much-loved Arctic expedition vessel, prized for her charm, capability, and connection to the landscapes she explores. Thanks to her relatively small size and shallow draft, Noorderlicht can access remote anchorages and hidden corners of Spitsbergen that are out of reach for larger ships, offering guests a truly intimate experience of the high Arctic.

What makes the experience even more special is her ability to sail under wind power alone—the most natural and environmentally friendly way to travel through these pristine wilderness areas. Guests are warmly invited to take part in the sailing, whether by helping hoist the sails or taking a turn at the helm, making each voyage not just a journey through the Arctic, but an authentic tall-ship adventure.

ACCOMMODATION

On board, Noorderlicht is authentically appointed, with a warm nautical character that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and informality. While the ship is designed to accommodate up to 20 passengers, starting in 2025 we have intentionally limited capacity to just 12 skiers on our Ski & Sail programs, ensuring greater space, comfort, and a more personalized experience for everyone on board, including single cabin upgrade options for solo travelers. Guests enjoy generous seating areas in both the upper and lower deck salons, along with a small library stocked with Arctic reference works and classic novels for quiet moments at sea. The upper deck salon also houses a cozy bar—a natural gathering place to share stories and unwind after a full day of skiing and exploration.

The sleeping quarters are located on the lower deck in 10 twin cabins, each fitted with upper and lower berths, a built-in closet, washbasin with hot and cold water, and a mirror. Every cabin is equipped with a 220V outlet for charging personal electronics. Shared facilities include five toilets and four showers, ensuring comfort and practicality during your voyage.

FOOD

If there’s one lesson we’ve learned from years of operating sailing expeditions, it’s that good food is essential at sea. Despite the logistical challenges of provisioning in the Arctic, our professional cook prepares three excellent meals a day, drawing on international cuisine and tailored to the needs of active days in the mountains and on the water. Nutritious, hearty, and satisfying, the food on board is as much a highlight of the journey as the adventures outside.

If you have specific dietary requirements, please let us know well in advance so we can prepare accordingly. Our cook will always do their best to accommodate your needs, and we encourage you to check in at the start of the voyage to introduce yourself and confirm any details. Throughout the week, you’re welcome to share feedback or requests—flexibility and guest satisfaction are central to making your experience on board as enjoyable as possible.

THE CREW

We operate Noorderlicht with an enthusiastic, highly committed crew—many of whom we’ve had the pleasure of working alongside during our years on sailing ships. Each voyage is staffed by three qualified sailors, a professional cook, and an expedition leader, all of whom bring extensive seafaring experience and hold the required certifications. Their skill, dedication, and passion for the Arctic ensure that every journey is safe, well-organized, and deeply rewarding for our guests.

HISTORY OF THE “NOORDERLICHT”

1910 – 1963: LIGHT VESSEL IN THE FLENSBURGER FJÖRDE

The story of Noorderlicht began more than 110 years ago, when she was launched in 1910 as a lightship. On July 13 of that year she was stationed on the Kalkgrund sandbank in the Flensburger Fjord, taking the name Kalkgrund from the shallow she was built to guard. Originally rigged as a three-masted schooner, she served as both a beacon for passing vessels and as a pilot station. Lights mounted on her fore and aft masts guided ships safely through the area, while a crew of 15 maintained the vessel and provided pilot services.

Over the decades her form and function evolved. In 1925 she was renamed Flensburg, and during the Second World War her middle mast was removed and replaced by a deckhouse. A significant refit in 1953–54 lengthened the ship from 30 to 36 meters, modernizing her profile and extending her working life.

Despite her sturdy construction, life as a lightship was not without challenges. Ice buildup was a constant hazard, and during the harshest winters two crew members were tasked daily with breaking ice from the rigging. The bowsprit had to be shortened twice to reduce ice loading, and in 1941 the ship was even dragged—anchor and chain included—by drifting pack ice toward Neukirchen.

After 53 years of continuous service, the vessel was finally retired on June 12, 1963, when the newly built Kalkgrund lighthouse replaced her role as a lightship.

1963 – 1992: ACCOMMODATION FOR GUEST WORKERS, CLUB HOUSE – WRECK

After her retirement as a lightship in 1963, the vessel was repurposed as floating accommodation for Greek migrant workers. In 1967 she was sold to the sailing association Möltenorter Seglerkameradschaft in Heikendorf and towed to Möltenort in the Kiel Fjord, where she served as a clubhouse. However, internal disagreements within the association meant that upkeep was neglected, and the ship’s condition steadily declined. In May 1986 she was sold once again—this time to new owners in the Netherlands—and transported to the port of Leeuwarden for the next stage of her life.

1992 – PRESENT: SAILING SHIP NOORDERLICHT

In 1992, Gert Ritzema and Ted van Broeckhuijzen discovered the neglected hull of the former lightship and undertook a complete restoration, transforming her into the elegant two-masted schooner she is today. Rebuilt with accommodations for 20 passengers and 5 crew, and newly certified for expedition service, she was relaunched under the name Noorderlicht—the Northern Lights—as one of the pioneering ships in Arctic expedition cruising.

By 1994, Noorderlicht was sailing north to Spitsbergen, among the first vessels to offer passenger expeditions in the high Arctic. Winters were spent farther south in the Azores and Canary Islands until 2003, after which she became famous as the world’s only ice-bound hotel. Each winter, frozen into the ice of Tempelfjord in Svalbard, she operated as “The Ship in the Ice”, reached only by snowmobile or dog sled. This unique tradition lasted until 2015, when diminishing sea ice made it no longer feasible.

It was during this period that Sawback Alpine Adventures first partnered with Noorderlicht, developing Ski & Sail expeditions in Svalbard. With Sawback providing expert mountain guiding and the ship’s owners managing maritime operations, this collaboration established Noorderlicht as a premier platform for Arctic ski touring.

In 2017, Noorderlicht was purchased by Floris de Waard and Mariëlle van Twillert of Ocean Going, who continued to offer summer expeditions in Svalbard and introduced winter “Whale and Northern Lights” safaris in northern Norway.

Following the 2020 winter season, Noorderlicht was brought back to the Netherlands during the pandemic. In 2021, ownership passed to Swan Expeditions, based in the Netherlands. Swan took on the responsibility of preserving the vessel’s heritage while modernizing operations and expanding opportunities for meaningful, low-impact expeditions.

Today, under Swan’s stewardship, Noorderlicht continues as a versatile basecamp at sea—sailing under the midnight sun, anchoring deep in remote fjords, and supporting small, purposeful expeditions in the Arctic. The Ski & Sail partnership with Sawback Alpine Adventures remains central to this purpose. Guests ski untouched Arctic terrain by day and return each evening to the warmth, history, and camaraderie of Noorderlicht, now operated by Swan with the same collaborative spirit that has defined her most adventurous years.

This enduring partnership brings together Swan’s maritime tradition and Sawback’s alpine expertise, delivering authentic expeditions designed for those seeking deep immersion in the Arctic—on skis, under sail, and with a shared commitment to conservation and exploration.