On 30 August 2021, the director of the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC) of Ukraine Yevhen Dykyi together with the British captain Simon Welles and the Ukrainian captain Oleh Novosylny raised the blue-yellow flag of Ukraine and the pennant of the NARC over the flagship of the Ukrainian research fleet.

“We are incredibly proud that our national flag is now flying over the legendary British icebreaker. For the first time since independence, the Ukrainian scientific fleet is replenished with a new vessel. I believe that this is the beginning of the return of Ukrainian science to the World Ocean," said Yevhen Dykyi.

RRS James Clark Ross Acquisition Act was signed on 19 August 2021 between the NARC and the “UK Research and Innovation” which includes the Natural Environment Research Council and British Antarctic Survey.

The ship was in the port of the Danish city of Frederikshavn and was waiting for the re-issuance of a number of documents to Ukraine, including obtaining a Navigation permit under the state flag of Ukraine. Now the Ukrainian research vessel is leaving for Odessa.

The oceanographic icebreaker will allow Ukraine to return to the study of the World Ocean after a long break, solve logistical problems at the Ukrainian Antarctic station “Vernadsky Research Base”, expand the possibilities of seasonal expeditions, as well as conduct research not only in Antarctica but also in the Arctic and, if necessary, in other regions of the ocean.

Photo credit: National Antarctic Research Centre of Ukraine