One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026 

A 12-month global voyage with the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl - a floating ambassador for the UN Ocean Decade. Combining sail training, ocean science, education and diplomacy to inspire action for a sustainable ocean. 

2025 - 2026

One Ocean Expedition 

Statsraad Lehmkuhl departed Bermuda on September 1 and is now en route to Los Angeles, USA, via the Panama Canal. The ship will arrive in Los Angeles on October 5.

Over the course of a year, the expedition will visit ports across three continents. Several legs are open to the public - no sailing experience needed! Welcome on board!

Sailing route

At sea en route to Los Angeles, USA

Follow our journey

The change of route from the Northwest Passage to the Panama Canal gave chief officer Laurits Kallan Lauritsen a rare chance to carry out extraordinary maintenance.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl has never looked better

Statsraad Lehmkuhl is sailing in one of the most legendary and mysterious sea areas in the world. This is the story behind the myth.

Inside the Bermuda Triangle

This summer, Statsraad Lehmkuhl surpassed 100,000 followers on social media. Among those bringing life on board to the world is content producer André Marton Pedersen. 

100,000 followers – meet the content producer behind the stories

Latest news

Latest videos

Following the success of the One Ocean Expedition 2021–2023, Statsraad Lehmkuhl is once again setting sail on a 12-month circumnavigation to promote ocean sustainability. The voyage will include 27 ports of call across three continents, combining ocean science, education and international cooperation to raise awareness about the crucial role of the ocean for a sustainable future.

On The One Ocean Expedition, Statsraad Lehmkuhl is filled with students, researchers and voyage crew who all work together to sail the big ship and gather experience and knowledge about the ocean.

Life on board

Tromsø, Norway

Bergen, Norway - Lerwick, UK

Reykjavik, Iceland

Nice, France 

Ponta Delgada, the Azores (Portugal)

Nuuk, Greenland

St. John's, Canada

Bermuda

Los Angeles, USA

Bermuda - Panama Canal 

Vancouver, Canada

Seattle, USA

San Fransisco, USA

San Diego, USA

La Paz, Mexico

Herradura, Costa Rica

Cartagena, Columbia

Herradura, Costa Rica - Panama Canal

Norfolk, USA

Cádiz, Spain

Brest, France 

Dublin, Ireland

Bergen, Norway

If the warming in the Arctic had not filled the Northwest Passage with icebergs from crumbling Greenland glaciers, Statsraad Lehmkuhl would now have been full of students and teachers from the Arctic University of Tromsø, en route to Whittier, Alaska.

Instead, the ship was forced to turn south.

 The university crew disembarked in Newfoundland, and Statsraad Lehmkuhl is now manned only by her permanent crew.

Normally, the permanent crew stand alongside the voyage crew, managing, training, and teaching. Now they must handle all sail operations themselves.

– It's quite rare that you see us set sails, everybody, captain and the chief mate and the cook and the engineers. Everybody is putting their weight into the ropes and making things run, and that's actually really, really nice, says Laurits Kallan Lauritsen.

As chief officer, Laurits coordinates the maintenance work together with the boatswain and the carpenter.

– We have a rough schedule for what to do on a weekly, a monthly and a daily basis. And meet to discuss what's possible and what's not possible, in terms of spare parts and equipment, but also people and time. And then we do a specific day to day plan.

For Laurits, having an “empty ship” is a unique chance to complete tasks that are normally difficult to carry out. Floors and tables in the banjer – the voyage crew’s living quarters, are being scraped down and varnished. Paintwork is being refreshed, and areas where painting is usually impossible because of fumes can finally be attended to. Even toilets and showers are getting some attention.

Laurits himself was spotted lying on top of a closet.

– I just helped the quartermaster fix the public announcement system, the speakers. Yeah. We all help out, he explained.

The warm weather, with temperatures above 20 degrees, provides perfect conditions for this type of work, and the permanent crew is skilled in carrying it out.

– They are very, very experienced, and they are doing a fantastic job, Laurits says. And also, I have to give a huge, huge thanks to the six volunteer deck crew. They are the reason why the engine is spinning, so to speak. They are here as part of their training to become able seamen, to gather sea time and experience. And while they do that, they take part in the watch systems and of course also the maintenance.

Of course, the work is not without risk. Tasks are carried out high up in the rigging, and chemicals are used for both cleaning and coating.

– Sure, it's dangerous, but no, it's not dangerous because we take care of our people. All crew have courses and are trained in what we do. Safety and health is, of course, our main priority.

Before Statsraad Lehmkuhl set out on the One Ocean Expedition in April, the ship spent nine months in dry dock for extensive renewal. Now, after even more loving care at sea, the result is stunning.

– It's hard for me to say for sure, but definitely not in the past decade, says Laurits.

Still, the crew continues to carry out maintenance and make small improvements.

– It's deep in our DNA as sailors that we sort of grab the opportunities that are at hand. And, you know, the weather always changes and the conditions always change. So we have to adapt, Laurits says.

On the first of September, Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth opened his daily report with a cryptic remark: – We’ve left Bermuda and are heading south through the triangle.

Draw a line from Bermuda to Florida, continue southeast to Puerto Rico, and then north again to Bermuda. The lines form a triangle – the infamous Bermuda Triangle. And it is in this stretch of ocean that Statsraad Lehmkuhl now sails.

For decades, tales of unexplained vanishings have given this area its dark reputation. Planes, ships, and entire crews have disappeared without leaving a trace. 

In December 1945, five U.S. Navy torpedo bombers, known as Flight 19, set out on a training mission and never came back. Just three years later, in January 1948, the passenger aircraft Star Tiger of British South American Airways vanished en route from Bermuda to the Azores. A few months later, a fishing boat with three men aboard went missing in the same waters. 

And in December that same year, a DC-3 from Airborne Transport disappeared between Puerto Rico and Miami. In January 1949, the passenger plane Star Ariel, also of British South American Airways, vanished on its way from Bermuda to Jamaica. No wreckage was ever found.

But it was the disappearance of the steamship Sandra in 1950 that truly fueled the Bermuda Triangle legend. With a crew of eleven, Sandra left Savannah, USA, bound for Venezuela. When the vessel failed to arrive, the U.S. Coast Guard launched an intensive search. 

Not a single trace of the ship was discovered.

Two years later, the magazine Fate brought the story to a wider audience. Specializing in paranormal tales, the publication gathered Sandra’s fate with the earlier mysteries and gave the area its enduring name: the Bermuda Triangle. 

From there, the myth took off, growing through articles, books, TV programs and movies into one of the most famous maritime legends of all time.

And now, Statsraad Lehmkuhl herself is sailing through this legendary triangle, bound for the Panama Canal.

Yet Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth has little reason to worry. The original story told in Fate was not entirely accurate. Journalist George Sand wrote that Sandra vanished in June, in calm and pleasant weather. In reality, she left port on April 5 and sailed directly into a violent storm.

As the Miami Herald reported on April 8, 1950:

"A storm growing from the low pressure areas which caused thunderstorms and strong winds in Florida during the past three days approached hurricane force and buffeted Atlantic shipping lanes Friday ... Winds reached a speed of 73 miles an hour off the Virginia Capes, two miles an hour under hurricane strength..."

The Bermuda Triangle is in fact a region prone to tropical cyclones, and research has shown that no more ships have vanished here than anywhere else in the Atlantic.

Sandra was probably lost to the storm, and certainly not to supernatural forces. In 2020 the wreck of Sandra was found by divers searching for the lost planes of Flight 19.

André is a photographer, video producer and storyteller with many years of experience from TV, video and social media. In everyday life, he works as Head of Communications at Bergen Trekking Association, but on selected voyages he is a content producer for Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The first time he joined the ship was during its very first circumnavigation.

How was it to step on board for the very first time?


– That was in 2022, when I was about to sail from Palau to Yokohama. I had never been on board before, and it was nerve-racking. I was incredibly excited, but also had a thousand questions: What would everyday life be like? What about the crew? Would I get seasick? I had never worked as a content producer at sea before. Luckily, it turned out to be both fun and educational.

Video: While waiting to board in Palau, André spent his time on a private beach cleanup:


– Seldom, but I can feel it when I sit and edit during rough weather. Then I take a break, step outside and do something else. I’ve also learned not to eat too much – then I get queasy more easily. A little balance in sleep and food helps a lot.

What’s the most enjoyable part of documenting life on board?


– Talking with all the different trainees who come along. They are adventurous, curious, and incredibly diverse people. I get to know the crew, climb the rigging – which I was terrified of at first – and share experiences that really bind people together.

– That’s perhaps the best thing about Lehmkuhl: the friendships that last long after you’ve gone ashore.

You mentioned the rigging – how was it to dare climb up there the first time?


– In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I would ever manage to go all the way to the top. It took several weeks before I dared go higher than the first platform. But eventually fear turned into mastery, and now I seize every opportunity to "go aloft". It feels amazing to stand up there, overlooking the whole ship and the ocean around! 

Video: André pushing his limits at the very top of the rig!

What is the most challenging part of being a content producer?


– Finding the good stories. When you come on board, you face a blank page. You have to spend time getting to know people, building trust, and understanding what experiences they carry with them. It’s both demanding and incredibly rewarding.

Can you mention some stories that made a lasting impression?


– Yes! I made a film about Gabriel from Fiji, who shared his deep connection to the ocean and the challenges of climate change. He has even visited me at home in Lysefjorden, and we’ve become good friends.

Another story I’ll never forget is Marlie, who at the age of 72 climbed the rig again for the first time in 50 years. He proved that adventure never ends if you dare to grasp it. Moments like that are pure gold.


 Read the story about Marlie and his friends who sailed on Lehmkuhl in 1972


– I start with breakfast before setting up at my spot on the deck office. From there, I’m available to both crew and trainees, but I try to be out on deck as much as possible – always ready with a camera, full batteries and empty memory cards.

– Unexpected things happen all the time: a whale can appear, or something special can unfold among the crew. In the evening I edit and deliver photos and videos for the captain’s report and social media.

Magical moments as whales swim close to the ship. Video: André M Pedersen


– Usually I stay in the shared cabin together with the volunteer crew, both men and women. The permanent crew have their own cabins, but for us volunteers and content producers, it’s the shared cabin that counts.

How is it to be away from your family when you have a wife and five children at home?


– Of course, it’s demanding to be away for several weeks, especially for those at home. I miss my family, but at the same time this work gives so much back to me. 

- When I return, I bring new perspectives and many good stories. I also hope my children see that the world is bigger than little Lysefjorden – and that adventure is always out there for those who dare.

Video: The adventure is out there! Watch André’s recap of his very first voyage with Lehmkuhl.

What have you learned about yourself through your experiences on board?


– I’ve discovered that I’m tougher than I thought. Entering the rigging was one thing, but just as important was meeting so many new people and sharing stories. It requires opening up and giving a bit of yourself. I’ve learned that I can handle more than I expected, and that gives an enormous sense of confidence and joy.

Have you found a favorite ocean after sailing several times as a content producer?


– Yes, I think maybe the Philippine Sea is my favorite. When we sailed from Tokyo down towards the Philippines, it was simply magical. Clear water with 30–40 meters visibility, swimming stops by the Okinawa islands, huge swells lifting the entire ship – it was an experience I’ll never forget.

But the ocean can also be dramatic. Watch André’s video when typhoon Hinnamnor came too close. At four in the morning it was “all hands on deck” to take in the sails and change course.

What do you hope people get out of your photos and videos?


– I hope they see that the stories are about more than just the situation being filmed. They are about values: adventure, community, respect for nature, and the idea that we all have more in us than we think. For me, it is also important to convey the significance of the ocean and the climate changes we are facing – but in a way that inspires hope and engagement.

What qualities should a content producer on Lehmkuhl have?


– First and foremost, curiosity and the ability to be social. You have to enjoy talking to people, but also be able to handle long days, tough weather, and set healthy boundaries for yourself. Technical skills are essential – camera, photography, video, preferably also drone. And of course, you have to enjoy being outdoors, in all kinds of weather.

André recently signed off in Bermuda, handing over the baton to the next content producer, Malin Kvamme.

👉 Follow André and the other content producers on 

to experience life on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl!

Would you like to be a content producer for Statsraad Lehmkuhl?


During the One Ocean Expedition, there is a content producer on board for every leg. They work between 6 and 12 weeks at a time, following the ship closely – both in everyday life and during major highlights. A content producer also often joins in regular sailing seasons; Shetland voyages, Tall Ships Races, etc. Interested in applying? Send an e-mail to 

Not like on land: The job as a content producer comes with many – and often unexpected – challenges. Video: Lucie Carlassino