Princess Ingrid Alexandra is the godmother of Norway’s new advanced research vessel, which has got the same name as her father.
The ceremony took place on a quayside in Tromsø, Saturday morning, where the traditional champagne bottle was replaced with a large ice clump.
Norway’s new research vessel and icebreaker was awarded the name “Crown Prince Haakon” after an extensive name contest in 2013, where 1,000 name proposals were submitted. Director Jan-Gunnar Winther of the Norwegian Polar Institute believes the name represents long polar traditions among the royal.
“In addition to his great dedication and deep knowledge about climate and environment in polar regions,” he adds.
The advanced research vessel cost 1.4 billion kroner and is designed for full-time operation in ice-filled waters. It will be used for research in the Artic and Antarctica and has first-class ice-navigation features.
The Crown Prince stated in his speech, that it is amazing, Norway has a research vessel that can sail into some of the world’s most vulnerable areas and provide new underst”Crown Prince Haakon” has already been on several research posts in the Arctic, and after its christening the course is set towards Antarctic waters. The ship can sail at three knots speed in one meter thick ice.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
