the compact expedition vessel for scientific arctic voyages

The Ulla Rinman from Norlengs is an ice-strengthened, 24-metre-long expedition vessel designed for custom-made missions in Arctic waters around Svalbard. It is perfectly suited as a floating base for research projects both on land and at sea. Flexible, all-round and superbly equipped.

Destinations: Svalbard and Iceland
For groups of up to 11 people
Season: Mid-April to late October

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Maximum flexibility

the great strengths of our small vessel

Despite its modest size, the Ulla Rinman is a comfortable base camp. The clever layout provides large storage space for both efficient work and joint living, whilst offering some privacy on board. The large foredeck offers ample storage space for gear and equipment – including larger boxes, fridges and freezers.

This small, maneuverable icebreaker can navigate close to the shoreline, thereby reaching areas inaccessible to larger vessels. Two tender boats are available for shore excursions that are flexible in terms of both time and location.

The advantages at a glance

Safe shore excursions with two modern dinghies. A Zodiac with room for 15 people.
Designed as an icebreaker – ready to sail even in drifting and pack ice.
As a former search-and-rescue cruiser, it is reliable and safe in all weather conditions..
Large fuel tank for longer voyages. Range of up to 3,000 nautical miles.
Functional equipment – for work on board, ashore and on the water.
A skilled and experienced crew that thinks proactively and finds a solution to every challenge.

Bespoke research expeditions and

projects in arctic waters

for small teams seeking professionalism and personalised support

Upon request, we provide support as early as the planning stage, offer high-quality equipment, and develop tailored solutions—both before and during the voyage. This enables research teams to conduct data collection, sampling, and other tasks flexibly—whether working together or in small teams—even on short notice and in remote areas. We are happy to make exceptions, deviate from fixed plans, and accommodate changes in scheduling and organization.

Any necessary additions to the existing installations can be custom-built and installed in Bremerhaven according to your specifications and, if necessary, retrofitted during the voyage.

The crew of the Ulla Rinman has many years' experience in Arctic waters, working with research teams and dealing with conditions both on land and at sea. They are well experienced in local regulations and conditions.

For scientific and research teams in the fields of geology, glaciology, archaeology, marine research and more
For film crews wishing to work in remote, challenging Arctic environments – on land and at sea in fjords and coastal areas

our services

for scientists on land

With two modern shuttle boats, we transport researchers from a wide range of work areas safely and flexibly ashore and back on board:

Teams of geologists can reach even the most remote outcrops
Glaciologists can get right up close to the glaciers
Archaeologists from various disciplines can reach survey and excavation sites both on land and underwater
Ornithologists can reach breeding sites with us from the water
We take biologists to their landing sites and pick them up again

Our crew ensures everything runs smoothly and that the necessary equipment is transported reliably.

research work in the water and on the seabed

Our extensive range of specialist equipment enables us to professionally collect samples and sediments from the water and the seabed in coastal areas – even in unexplored regions. Directly from on board, with active support from our experienced crew if required:

With the help of our powerful winches, marine biologists, for example, use the 7.5-litre Niskin bottles on board to collect water samples
Marine geologists benefit from our 50 kg / 900 mm heavy-duty sounding line for sediment samples from the seabed
We support geochemistry researchers by providing a CTD winch and other specialised attachments
We support research into marine acoustics, underwater noise and underwater sound by providing oceanographic measuring equipment

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also: for ski adventurers in the far north

Ski enthusiasts will find fabulous snow and downhill conditions in Spitsbergen.

We’ll take you to the best spots. In the morning, we’ll head ashore in the Zodiac and return to the ship later on. Afterwards, everyone will round off the day together with a delicious meal. It’s pure adventure in a stunning landscape!

Season: Early May to June

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Professional equipment for expeditions and research missions

the equipment

Additional installations on board are possible! Our on-board technician is happy to assist with the construction of customised aids, to expand or modify existing equipment, or to design new solutions – drawing an abundant expertise, creativity and experience.

The standard technical equipment on board:

2 permanently installed hydraulic cranes, for example for deploying mooring systems, buoys and technical equipment. (0.5 t / 7 m and 0.7 t / 4 m).
CTD winch on the aft deck for operations down to a depth of 600 metres
Spacious deck areas: space for scientific equipment, measuring instruments, specialist equipment, samples and refrigeration facilities
Uninterruptible Power Supply 20 kVA 230/380 V 50 Hz
Full satellite communications for a reliable and stable internet connection
Gravity Core System
Freezer for samples 300l/-20°C
Fridge for samples 100l
Workspace with screen and whiteboard

Scuba dive equipment:

Breathing air compressor 225 bar
Scuba tanks 12l and 15l
Lead weights
Niskin bottles 2x 7,5l
Gravity corer 50 kg 900 mm long, 50 mm in diameter
Side mounted pole for measuring instruments like e.g. broadband acoustic systems

2 shuttle boats for safe and flexible shore excursions for the entire team

Dinghy 1: Zodiac Milpro MK 5 HD, Yamaha 50 PS, passenger capacity: 15
Dinghy 2: Pioner 14 ft, Suzuki 30 PS, passenger capacity: 5

Download PDF

virtual tour

The Ulla Rinman in 360° mode

Simply ‘walk’ across the entire deck with your mouse or finger and view the ship from every angle. In the top right-hand corner of the diagram, you can select the relevant area of the ship: the foredeck, the aft deck, the cabins, the galley, the lounge, the wheelhouse, the engine room and the toilets. In the background, you can see the stunning landscape with its ice-covered mountains. The tour is easy to use and requires no prior technical knowledge.

Always on hand, spontaneous, competent and full of ideas!

the crew

Organisers, technical and catering teams, your point of contact in all weather conditions

Mana and Jan-Friedrich Walther are the owners of the former sea rescue cruiser since 2019. These two all-rounders are always on board. They ensure a structured daily routine and a good atmosphere on board. They make sure the technical equipment is in order, that meals are served on time, that the boats set off on schedule and that the necessary equipment is available.

Professional, yet completely free of hierarchical pretensions:
Life on the ‘Ulla’ is relaxed; everyone is on first-name basis, and everyone lends a hand when needed. Depending on the situation, the team adapts the logistics and meal times to suit the passengers’ needs and preferences

life and work on board

Full board, electricity, heating and water …

The Ulla Rinman not only offers a functional and peaceful environment for extended expeditions and scientific missions but also a very personal, family-like atmosphere on board!

Working on board

Flexible workspaces are available on board. In addition, there is efficient equipment for professional work: a CTD winch for sediment sampling and two hydraulic cranes – 4 and 7 metres.

view floor plan

Catering – for body and soul

A good meal gives the day extra structure and brings everyone together around the table. It fills you up and puts you in a good mood!

meet the crew

Accommodation

Comfortable berths are a must after a long day! Even on longer voyages, everyone can find their place on deck in one of the communal lounges or in their cabin.

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Time on deck

The deck areas provide space for individual teams to carry out separate tasks, storage facilities for samples, and for making observations from the ship.

start the virtual tour

Social Media

Ulla Rinman on LinkedIn, Instagram and other social media platforms

Would you like more up-to-date insights into our daily life on board and on our expeditions? Then why not pop by and have a look:

The Ulla Rinman – the small and compact expedition vessel in the Arctic Ocean

key facts – technical specifications

Technical Overview:

Name of the vessel

Ulla Rinman

Home port

Longyearbyen, Svalbard Norway

Shiptype

Vessel with limited passenger
transport up to 12 PAX

Hull characteristic

Material steel, icebreaking bow, ice strengthened

Service speed

8 kn

Fuel capacity

24 m³

Endurance

60 days / 3.000 nm

Length

23,82 m

Breadth

6,90 m

Draft

3,1 m

Electrical power

230 V V / 380 V, 50 Hz

Cabins

4 (2 double cabin, 1 four bed cabin, 1 three bed cabin)

Total banks

Guests 11 (recommended 8-10)

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nice to know!

the ulla rinman – story in brief

The ship was built in 1970 at the Falkenberg Varv shipyard south of Gothenburg – at the time, it was Sweden’s second-most powerful rescue cruiser. It remained in service for 33 years. Its construction was largely financed by the ‘Society of Life Buoys’.

The ship was built as an icebreaker to enable the transport of patients even in winter, to carry midwives, to take children to school, to clear a path for ferries, to rescue fishermen in distress and, if necessary, to tow vessels. This required a bow reinforcement made of 24-millimetre-thick steel; the ship is also fitted with stainless-steel ice propellers with swivelling blades. The deckhouse is made of aluminium.

In 2003, the former flagship of the Naval Rescue Society was sold to a private individual in Halmstad, Sweden. Since 2009 the ship has been based in Spitsbergen.

In 2019, Mana and Jan-Friedrich Walther acquired the ‘Ulla’. They restored the ship with great care, always making sure that the external appearance of the historic icebreaker remained unchanged. Only on the upper deck a platform was added for a second, large, powerful 50 PS inflatable boat, to ferry researchers safely ashore.

Who was Ulla Rinman?

Born in Sweden in 1874, she raised funds to establish a maritime rescue service and to support families who had fallen on hard times as a result of maritime emergencies.

Showroom

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A few glimpses into daily life on the Ulla Rinman's Arctic expedition around Svalbard