Our Vessels

Help Us Raise the Sails for Marine Exploration

Where History Meets the Future at Sea

At Expedition Audacity, our purpose hasn’t changed: we go where few others go, to document what the world is losing and what can still be saved. Our commitment to ocean research, Indigenous partnership, and frontline storytelling remains exactly where it has always been — in the field, on the water, and with both hands in the work.

We had planned to move directly into a larger, long-range research vessel this year. However, shifting funding landscapes in the science and philanthropy sectors have required us to adjust course. We’re pragmatic explorers — we adapt, we correct for the wind, and we keep moving.

For now, we continue operations aboard the R/V Stanley and our charter vessel, the R/V Hanalei Bay — both capable platforms that allow us to conduct meaningful fieldwork, training, outreach, and documentation. They serve us well. But they are not enough for what is coming.

Why We Need the Larger Vessel

Our current vessels can only support short to mid-range missions with small teams. The work ahead demands:

More laboratory space for onboard processing and rapid genetics collection
Greater bunk capacity for scientists, Indigenous partners, students, and crew
Increased endurance to remain on station for weeks or months at a time
Safer Arctic and high-latitude capability without relying on costly seasonal charters
The ability to carry ROVs, drones, kayaks, dive teams, and documentary equipment simultaneously
A floating classroom that connects coastal youth worldwide, not just a lucky few

In short:

We are doing major work with minor tools.

It’s time our vessel matched the scale of our mission.

We are actively evaluating candidates and working with shipyards, donors, and maritime partners to secure the Expedition Audacity flagship — a vessel capable of carrying this movement across oceans and into the communities where it matters most.

To everyone who has stood with us — from researchers to supporters to those who simply believe that exploration should serve the planet, not exploit it — thank you. Your support is not just appreciated; it is the reason we are still pushing forward when easier organisations would have stepped aside.

The sea is changing. The world is changing.

So are we.

Stay tuned — the next chapter is already underway.

The Heart of Expedition Audacity

The R/V Stanley is not just a vessel; it's the original heart of Expedition Audacity, a cherished companion to Captain Red. Restored during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the R/V Stanley has been a steadfast presence on the Great Lakes, playing a vital role in filming documentary projects for local school boards on a wide range of topics. With its rich history and continued functionality, the R/V Stanley is set to undertake an exciting expedition from Lake Ontario to South Carolina in the fall of 2025.

Stanley kind of named himself; he was built in Port Stanley, Ontario, and was named after Captain Red's two grandfathers, William Stanley (Stan) and Stanley Walter (Wally), who both served during the Second World War. Their profound influence in Captain Red's early years ignited his love for nature, thirst for knowledge, and sense of adventure.

Kettle Creek Trawlers built a solid reputation in both the recreational and commercial vessel markets since their founding in the 1980s. Established by dedicated boat builders and maritime enthusiasts, the company became renowned for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design.

From the outset, Kettle Creek's mission has been to create durable, seaworthy vessels capable of withstanding the challenges of leisurely cruising and demanding offshore conditions. By utilizing high-quality materials, particularly steel, they produced boats that are robust and require significantly less maintenance than traditional fiberglass vessels. This focus on longevity and reliability solidified Kettle Creek Trawlers as a preferred choice among recreational sailors and commercial fishermen alike.

The design philosophy of Kettle Creek Trawlers emphasizes stability, comfort, and efficiency. The R/V Stanley, a prime example of this ethos, features classic trawler lines that offer ample living space while maintaining an efficient hull design for enhanced fuel economy. Notable design elements include a spacious flybridge, wide side decks, and large windows, creating an inviting and safe onboard experience.

Kettle Creek was an early innovator in embracing environmental responsibility in its vessel designs. Many of their models incorporated eco-friendly technologies aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency, supporting broader marine conservation efforts.

Though Kettle Creek Trawlers has long since closed its doors, their vessels remain popular on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. They epitomize the blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation. Vessels like the R/V Stanley continue to inspire adventures on the water, resonating with the spirit of exploration central to Expedition Audacity. With a robust legacy and an unwavering commitment to quality, Kettle Creek Trawlers will always hold a special place in maritime history.

The Temporary Heart of Expedition Audacity

The R/V Hanalei Bay is not merely a charter; it is the next chapter in our ongoing relationship with the ocean’s wilder frontiers. A one-off Ed Dubois–designed polar expedition sloop, built in aluminium at Biot Shipyard, this 28-metre vessel was engineered from inception for serious bluewater work—the kind where ice forms on the rails, weather systems arrive without courtesy, and your boat is either trustworthy or you stay home.

Fortunately, Hanalei Bay was built to go.

With a beam of 7.5 metres and a hull form optimised for stability and endurance, she offers the rare combination of expedition-grade toughness and liveable comfort. Inside, she carries 6 cabins with bunks arranged for both privacy and efficient watch rotation, plus dedicated crew quarters for 4, allowing her to operate with up to 16 souls aboard without feeling crowded. Her enclosed wheelhouse and immense central saloon provide warm, protected working space—whether sorting samples at midnight, editing field footage, or simply thawing out after deck watch in the high latitudes.

Like all true working boats, Hanalei Bay has evolved through experience. She has been used and improved continuously by the team that operated her, refined over time into the kind of vessel that knows long miles and has the systems reliability to prove it. She is, at heart, an expedition craft—engineered not as a toy nor a yacht-show darling, but as a platform for science, documentation, and human presence in lifeworlds seldom seen.

Her history traces back to the Canadian offshore sailing scene, including a major recommissioning refit during the pandemic years in Trinidad before returning to northern waters. She was built to cross oceans, and perhaps more importantly, to carry purpose across them.

For Expedition Audacity, the R/V Hanalei Bay represents something meaningful:
a vessel capable of meeting the scale of the work.

The Arctic. The sub-polar Atlantic. The isolated fjords and fishing outposts where climate change is not a theory but a neighbour.

Where R/V Stanley taught us who we were, the R/V Hanalei Bay shows us where we are going.

She is our mobile base of learning, research, documentation, and cultural exchange for the 2025 season—a ship that can go far, stay long, and bring back stories that matter.

Not a yacht.

Not a symbol.

A working partner in the task ahead.

Why Panama?

The Ideal Flag for Sustainable Exploration

Panama is an ideal choice for registering Expedition Audacity’s Research Foundation vessels, offering a globally recognized and highly efficient maritime registry. As home to the world’s largest fleet of vessels, Panama provides a streamlined and cost-effective registration process with competitive fees, flexible ownership structures, and strong legal protections. The country’s strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes ensures accessibility and operational ease, while its well-established maritime infrastructure offers world-class support for vessels engaged in scientific research and exploration. Additionally, Panama’s commitment to upholding international maritime regulations ensures that vessels operating under its flag benefit from strong legal recognition and compliance with global environmental and safety standards.

A Global Leader in Environmental Stewardship

Beyond its maritime advantages, Panama is a leader in environmental stewardship and “Right to Exist” legislation, making it an ideal jurisdiction for a mission-driven organization like Expedition Audacity. In 2022, Panama became one of the first countries in the world to grant legal rights to nature, recognizing ecosystems as entities with the right to exist and be protected. This groundbreaking legal framework aligns with our commitment to sustainable ocean research and conservation. The nation also prioritizes environmental initiatives such as expanding marine protected areas, combatting illegal fishing, and advancing blue economy policies that support sustainable ocean use. Registering in Panama not only provides legal and operational advantages but also aligns Expedition Audacity with a progressive, sustainability-focused nation at the forefront of environmental protection.

Expedition Audacity Research Foundation - E.A.R Foundation 33-3246352 - 501(c)3 - Dover, Delaware.

11006126 Canada ltd - Expedition Audacity Research Foundation - Fondation de recherche Expédition Audace - 1726380-5

Seafaring Symphony: Unveiling the Elegance and Innovation of Audacity

Whether you’re a longtime backer or a new friend, here’s how

Your support fuels our mission.

R/V [TBA]: Options For The Future of Expedition Audacity

Help Us Raise the Sails for Marine Exploration

Where History Meets the Future at Sea

Why We Need the Larger Vessel

R/V STANLEY: The Heart of Expedition Audacity

The Heart of Expedition Audacity

R/V HANALEI BAY — E.A.R. 2025 Expedition Charter Vessel

The Temporary Heart of Expedition Audacity

Our Vessels are registered, flagged, & managed in Panama by:

To Audacity ...And Beyond S.A.

Why Panama?

The Ideal Flag for Sustainable Exploration

A Global Leader in Environmental Stewardship

Seafaring Symphony: Unveiling the Elegance and Innovation of Audacity

Whether you’re a longtime backer or a new friend, here’s how

Your support fuels our mission.

R/V [TBA]: Options For The Future of Expedition Audacity

Help Us Raise the Sails for Marine Exploration

Where History Meets the Future at Sea

Why We Need the Larger Vessel

R/V STANLEY: The Heart of Expedition Audacity

The Heart of Expedition Audacity

R/V HANALEI BAY — E.A.R. 2025 Expedition Charter Vessel

The Temporary Heart of Expedition Audacity

Our Vessels are registered, flagged, & managed in Panama by:

To Audacity ...And Beyond S.A.

Why Panama?

The Ideal Flag for Sustainable Exploration

A Global Leader in Environmental Stewardship

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