From an Idea to a Plan

How It Started

My journey until the conception of NordSail Expeditions wasn't a straight line. At 43, I've worn a few different hats. My background is in computer science, and I completed a PhD since I always liked the scienctific aspect of it. After that I worked a short stint in consulting before working together with my brother in our telecommunications business. But I eventually shifted careers and became a commercial pilot, flying across continents. While aviation was exciting, it never gave me much time to explore places up close and one feels rather disconnected from nature when sitting in a cockpit.

Then the pandemic hit. Like many others, I suddenly found myself out of a job, and with the aviation industry in turmoil, I wasn't sure what was next. I decided to take the opportunity to do something I had always wanted—set sail for northern Norway, reaching Lofoten, and then returning to Bergen, partly solo. It turned out to be an ideal way to isolate. For extended periods, I was either alone or with my girlfriend on the boat, with little interaction with others. The tourism industry had slowed down drastically, and harbors were mostly empty, making for a quiet but reflective journey.

Conversations and Observations

Sailing along Norway's rugged coastline gave me time to think, and it also rekindled my long-standing interest in biology. At the same time, I couldn't help but notice a growing disconnect between the sciences and the public, particularly in the way the pandemic was discussed in the media. Studies, statistics, and numbers were thrown around, often without context, leading to confusion and, in some cases, mistrust towards scientists. This was concerning to me, as I had always viewed science as trustworthy and had personally experienced the painstaking work required to produce publishable results during my PhD.

I started talking to friends, many of whom are academics, about other challenges in research. One common theme kept coming up: money in the sciences is scarce, and a significant part of research is writing grant applications. But beyond that, I also saw how people without strong ties to academia often struggled to engage with scientific findings. Many were interested in science but rarely had the chance to experience research firsthand or understand how scientific work is actually conducted.

What also struck me—especially in relation to conservation—was how disconnected many people seem to be from the nature around them. To give you an example: During at most two generations, much of the traditional knowledge about what is edible in the wild and what is not has nearly vanished, unless someone has a special interest in it. People often take nature for granted, seeing it as a relative static backdrop rather than something that is constantly changing. Yet if you pay attention, you can see these changes happening right before your eyes.

During the trip, I also took friends with me on parts of the journey, and I noticed how engaged they became when I explained the environment around us. They asked questions, made observations, and seemed genuinely excited about exploring nature in a more informed way. I enjoyed this aspect as well—it made my own experience richer.

Putting It Together

The idea for NordSail Expeditions didn't emerge all at once—it was a combination of different experiences and realizations coming together over time. It started when my girlfriend and I were expecting our first child, which made me think more about the future and how I wanted to spend my time. At the same time, I was searching for a new boat, one that would be sturdy enough for extended voyages and spacious enough for a growing family and guests (which you are bound to have at some point on any extended voyage).

As I was making these plans, I also felt the need to do something more meaningful with my time. That's when I decided to return to academia and study biology. I wanted to understand the natural world better and contribute to something beyond just earning a living. I had always been passionate for the sciences, and my background in research made the transition feel natural.

It was only after these two decisions—looking for a more capable boat and starting my studies in biology—that everything started to come together. The memories of my Lofoten trip came back to me, reinforcing my growing realization that sailing, exploration, and science could all be combined into a single project. I had already experienced how much people engaged with nature when given the chance, and I saw an opportunity to create a platform where others could do the same.

With this in mind, I began looking for a vessel that could support this vision. The Boréal 47.2 stood out as the best option—sturdy, designed for high-latitude sailing, and with enough space for both family life and research activities, yet not too large to need a whole crew to handle. The boat is currently under construction, and once completed, it will provide the flexibility needed to blend hands-on scientific exploration with the adventure of sailing.

Rather than creating a rigid research vessel with a fixed schedule, I envisioned something more fluid—an environment where guests could participate in scientific activities at their own pace while still experiencing the joy of being at sea. The idea wasn't about making research feel like work, but about making science more accessible in a way that sparks curiosity and deeper engagement with the natural world.

Step by Step

While the boat is still under construction, I am actively reaching out to researchers, educators, and institutions that might be interested in collaborating. This is an important phase where I am working to refine the concept and figure out how best to integrate scientific work with sailing expeditions. If you find this idea interesting and wants to explore potential ways to collaborate, I would be more than happy to have a conversation.

At the same time, I am fine-tuning the details of how these expeditions will operate, ensuring they strike a balance between research, exploration, and engagement. The goal is to create a setup that is practical, accessible, and rewarding for everyone involved. While there are still logistical aspects to work out, I am confident that step by step, this project is coming together in a way that will offer something truly unique.

If you want to talk about this project, have any suggestion or are interested in a cooperation, don't hesitate and write me an email: thorsten@nordsail.net