UMCS Polar Expeditions to SpitsbergenHistoryThe Svalbard Treaty of 1920 allowed both economic activities and scientific research on Spitsbergen. Poland, as a signatory of this treaty, took advantage of these opportunities, organizing polar expeditions both before and after World War II. Staying on Svalbard did not require obtaining Norwegian visas, which simplified formalities. This was particularly important after 1945 during the Cold War. Notably, Poland actively participated in research related to the Third International Geophysical Year (1957–1958), which led to the establishment of a permanent polar station in Hornsund, Spitsbergen.
In addition to the ongoing operations of the Polish Academy of Sciences Polar Station in Hornsund, scientific research on Spitsbergen is also conducted through seasonal expeditions organized by various Polish academic institutions. Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin joined this effort in 1986. The Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences at UMCS took on the task of organizing a series of expeditions aimed at comprehensive research on the natural environment. These expeditions were led by Professor Kazimierz Pękala, who had previously participated in polar expeditions organized by the University of Wrocław (1973), the Polish Academy of Sciences (1980), and Jagiellonian University (1983). Dr. Jan Rodzik, with experience from a year-long expedition to Hornsund (1982–1983), also contributed significantly to these efforts. The first UMCS Polar Expedition, organized in collaboration with the Faculty of Basic Geology at the University of Warsaw, departed Lublin on June 24, 1986. The expedition was the result of lengthy preparations during a challenging economic period in Poland. Providing the team with essential equipment, clothing, and food was no easy task. Additionally, potential repairs and building maintenance had to be considered, requiring access to proper building materials. With arrangements made with the Polish Academy of Sciences Institute of Geophysics, the transport of equipment and supplies was carried out via a ship chartered for the Polish Academy of Sciences Central Expedition. This arrangement was repeated for subsequent expeditions.
During the initial period (1986–1990), participants typically traveled to Spitsbergen by air: from Warsaw to Moscow and then from Moscow via Murmansk to Longyearbyen. This journey took at least two days. The final leg of the trip, from Longyearbyen to Calypsobyen, was often completed by helicopter, rented from the "Trest Arktiugol" company, sometimes taking several days. The return journey followed a similar pattern. Direct communication with Poland was only possible through colleagues with access to shortwave radios.
Significant changes occurred in 1991, including logistical improvements. From that point onward, travel was typically by air from Warsaw via Oslo to Longyearbyen, significantly reducing travel time and allowing for longer field research periods. Occasionally, alternative travel options were used, such as sailing from Gdynia to Spitsbergen (e.g., in 1999 aboard r/v Professor Shtokman and in 2000 aboard m/s Horyzont II). For transportation between Longyearbyen and Calypsobyen, services were provided by Airlift AS (a Norwegian helicopter company), the Russian ship Pomor, the research sailing yacht Oceania (captain Marek Marzec), and the yacht Eltanin (captain Jerzy Różański). Since 1999, satellite phones such as Iridium and later mobile phones provided communication with the outside world, enhancing participant safety. Organizing expedition supplies became much easier, especially after 2000, when the training ship Horyzont II from the Maritime University in Gdynia began regular trips between Gdynia and Spitsbergen. In some cases, various modes of transport were used for return journeys. Twice, in 1999 and 2000, the route from Calypsobyen to Lublin was completed in two stages: first by ship (e.g., Nordbjørn) to Tromsø, and then by car from Tromsø to Lublin.
Author: Dr. Piotr Zagórski, Associate Professor at UMCS |
