The sailing research vessel Malizia Explorer has left Ushuaia for a multi-week scientific expedition to the remote Danger Islands in Antarctica, marking the first mission of its kind carried out by Team Malizia.

The crew departed on the evening of November 18 after waiting several days for a stable weather window to safely cross the Drake Passage.

Leading the team is offshore sailor and environmental advocate Boris Herrmann, who is joined by a group of scientists and media professionals.

The expedition is expected to continue until mid-December, with the team aiming to return to Ushuaia after completing research activities around the islands.

The Danger Islands, positioned at the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, are considered one of the regions most visibly affected by rapid climate change.

Despite this vulnerability, the archipelago remains largely untouched and serves as a significant scientific reference area. It is also known for hosting the largest Adélie penguin colony in the world, with an estimated one million breeding pairs gathering on the rocky islands each November.

In 2024, seven of the islands were placed under strict environmental protection through the establishment of Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 180, an initiative first proposed by Germany.

As the country that put forward the designation, Germany is now responsible for overseeing the management and conservation of these islands.

The Danger Islands 2025 expedition marks the first detailed field study since the ASPA was established. Scientists from AWI, ThiNK and UBA plan to survey penguin colonies using drone mapping, analyse local food chains, assess vegetation, and document biodiversity.

They will also check for microplastic and chemical pollution and gather water samples using a newly installed CTD Rosette provided by AWI. The information collected is intended to support global climate research and guide policy discussions.

Beyond data collection, the mission aims to strengthen the link between science and conservation policy. While the islands themselves are protected, the surrounding waters, critical hunting grounds for penguins and other wildlife, remain outside any formal protection.

Establishing marine protected areas in regions where fishing interests exist has been more difficult than securing land-based protection, and the team hopes this mission will offer evidence to support wider protection in the region.

Boris Herrmann shared that the expedition is part of a longer-term plan developed by German scientists and policymakers. He indicated that the team hopes to keep the public engaged through daily updates, media coverage, and educational outreach during the voyage.

The 14-person crew includes specialists such as Fritz Hertel (ecologist, UBA), Dr Simeon Lisovski (polar biologist, AWI), and Osama Mustafa (geologist, ThiNK). Journalists Andreas Wolfers (GEO), Esther Horvath (National Geographic photographer), and Carsten Behrendt (ZDF) are also on board.

The vessel’s operations are handled by Malizia Explorer’s three-member professional sailing crew, who all have experience navigating Antarctic waters.

The team is now moving through the Beagle Channel and heading towards the open sea. They are expected to reach Antarctica in approximately four days and will then wait for the next favourable weather window before travelling onwards to the Danger Islands to begin their fieldwork inside ASPA 180.

Reference: Malizia Explorer