Built in 1958, this “Grand Old Lady” has led an illustrious life primarily as a research and rescue vessel. During her time as a rescue ship, she assisted in saving 57 human lives and 17 vessels from total loss and certain death. As a survey vessel, she worked in the oil fields of Norway, surveyed the pipelines of the Mediterranean, and the wind farms of the French Atlantic. But most relevant to our expedition, the R/V Kinfish was instrumental in mapping out much of the Svalbard sea floor in the early 1990’s. She has now been modernized and remodeled as a comfortable passenger expedition vessel. Her interior is completely refurbished in a modern Scandinavian design and she is brimming with new electronic navigation and communication equipment.