On 1 June 2025, it's "cast off" for Arved Fuchs and his crew of eight in Flensburg. The experienced polar explorer sets off on the next stage of his annual scientific expedition series Ocean Change, which is now in its tenth year. The aim is to investigate the effects of climate change on the oceans. This year's route passes through two important sea areas: the eastern Baltic Sea, an ecologically sensitive inland sea, and the North Sea and eastern Atlantic.
State-of-the-art measurement technology on board
The 94-year-old but technically state-of-the-art "Dagmar Aaen" is equipped with a variety of scientific measuring devices. "We have various laboratory equipment, drifter buoys, Argofloaters and an OceanPack on board - all the same equipment that the yachts in the Ocean Race have on board," Fuchs explains to Kiel-Storydeck. The OceanPack continuously measures the CO2 content, salinity and temperature of the seawater as well as the presence of phytoplankton. "The devices work fully automatically 24/7, and the data is sent directly to Geomar in Kiel via a satellite channel," says the expedition leader.
One particularly valuable component is the CCD probe, which can be lowered to a depth of 500 metres and delivers readings four times per second. "A probe like this costs forty to fifty thousand euros," Fuchs reveals. The pragmatic solution for winding and unwinding the probe is remarkable: "We built the winch ourselves, we crank it up with a cordless screwdriver," explains the polar researcher, not without pride.
Citizen science and international co-operation
Arved Fuchs' Ocean Change expedition not only relies on professional measurement technology, but also involves laypeople in the research. A camera is installed on the jib boom of the Dagmar Aaen, which continuously takes photos of the seawater. These images flow into the international citizen science project "EyeOnWater". "One of our engineers, Jana, who also helped develop the OceanPack at SubCtech, refined it a little," explains Fuchs.
The "Dagmar Aaen" is also an official weather ship of the German Weather Service (DWD). The installed equipment measures air pressure, temperature and other meteorological data, which is transmitted directly to the DWD's central computer. There is also close co-operation with the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) in the use of Argofloats and drifting buoys.
Route and highlights of the expedition
The route of the Ocean Change Expedition 2025 includes several important stops. On 5 June, the crew will stop in Stralsund, where the Baltic Sea Day will take place under the motto "Healthy Baltic Sea - Healthy People". Other destinations on the route include Greifswald, Swinemünde (Poland), Klaipėda (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia) and Gotland (Sweden).
One highlight is his participation in the "Waalem Polar Seminar" on Föhr on 18 July. At the invitation of the Swiss Polar Institute, Arved Fuchs is taking part in the "Floating Platform Seminar" as part of the current UN Ocean Decade. Numerous players from France, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland will meet here to discuss the latest developments in polar research. After the seminar, the "Dagmar Aaen" will continue its journey through the English Channel towards Brittany and Cornwall before heading into the eastern Atlantic. Depending on the weather, she is scheduled to return to her home port of Flensburg at the end of August.
Arved Fuchs reports live
An important concern of Arved Fuchs is to sensitise the public for the protection of the oceans. Anyone interested can follow the voyage of the "Dagmar Aaen" live. About the Beluga expedition platform the current location and the measured values are displayed in real time. A Podcast entitled "Expedition Ocean Change" offers current interviews from on board. There are daily updates on social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Interested parties can also view the logbook with current reports from on board and a live cam on the website www.arved-fuchs.de track.
The "Dagmar Aaen"
The shark cutter "Dagmar Aaen" was built in 1931 at the N. P. Jensen shipyard in Esbjerg, Denmark, for the Danish shipowner Mouritz Aaen, who named it after his wife. It was specially designed for tough use in the North Atlantic and the North Sea.
The ship is characterised above all by its extremely robust hull, which was made entirely from solid oak planks on oak frames. The oak planks are an impressive six centimetres thick. The extremely narrow spacing between the individual frames is particularly remarkable. In some places, the gap is so small that you can barely fit a fist between them. This construction method, in combination with additionally fitted watertight bulkheads, gives the hull an extraordinarily high level of strength and resistance.
The solid construction and the use of high-quality materials made ships such as the "Dagmar Aaen" ideal candidates for demanding operations. In addition to fishing in the North Atlantic and the North Sea, these robust cutters were also frequently used for voyages to Arctic waters. The Greenland voyage was no exception for this type of ship. Journeys through pack ice fields and even wintering for months in frozen fjords and bays were part of everyday life.
Technical specifications:
Ship data:
- Name: Dagmar Aaen
- Home port: Wewelsfleth
- Nation: Germany
- Rigging type: Cutter
- Type of vessel: Shark cutter
- Year of construction: 1931
- Shipyard: N.P. Jensen's Skibs & Badebyggeri, Esbjerg, Denmark
Dimensions:
- Length (hull): 18.00 m
- Width: 4.80 m
- Draught: 2.60 m
- Sail area: 220 m2
Drive and construction:
- Hull: wood
- Power: 180 hp
- Engine: 3 cyl. Callesen diesel
Stations of the Dagmar Aaen:
Early years:
- 1931: Built for Danish shipowner Mouritz Aaen
- Until 1977: Used as a fishing cutter in the North Sea
- Until 1988: Conversion and use for youth trips
Conversions and first expedition:
- 1988/90: Conversion to an ice-going expedition ship under Arved Fuchs
- April 1991 - July 1996: Major expedition through the Arctic, Northwest Passage and Pacific
Arctic explorations:
- 1997: Voyage to Spitsbergen in the Arctic Ocean
- 1998: Wintering in East Greenland
- 2000: Voyage to the Southern Ocean in Shackleton's footsteps
Northeast and Northwest Passage:
- May 2002 - October 2002: Expedition through the Northeast Passage
- 2002-2004: Crossing of the Northwest Passage with wintering
Research trips:
- 2006: Research trip to Greenland
- 2009-2010: Cruises in the North Atlantic with wintering in Upernavik
- 2015 to date: Ocean Change Project
