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Boris Herrmann

Will Harris

Francesca Clapcich

Cole Brauer

Flore Hartout

We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

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The Malizia Explorer science vessel has set sail for the Danger Islands on its first mission to Antarctica. Together with researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the Thuringian Institute of Sustainability and Climate Protection (ThINK), and the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Boris Herrmann and the team onboard Malizia Explorer are carrying out a joint scientific survey of this remote archipelago. Their goal is to deliver the first detailed study of the region and turn it into a pilot project that translates scientific evidence into political action, potentially creating a blueprint for accelerating Ocean protection in the future.

19 November 2025, Ushuaia, Argentina – 

Yesterday evening local time, Team Malizia’s sailing research vessel 

departed Ushuaia, Argentina, for her first scientific mission to 

. Onboard this sailing boat dedicated entirely to science and communication are offshore sailor and environmental advocate 

. After several weeks of research around and on the 

, the team is expected to return to Ushuaia by mid-December with findings that could help lay the groundwork for future Ocean protection efforts.

The Danger Islands lie at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the regions most affected by rapid climate change. Yet this small archipelago remains near-pristine and serves as an invaluable scientific reference point. It is also a biodiversity hotspot, home to the world’s largest colony of Adélie penguins, with one million breeding pairs nesting on its rocky outcrops each November. 

To safeguard this unique ecosystem, seven of the islands were placed under strict protection in 2024 through the designation of 

Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 180

. As the initiator of the new protected area, Germany is now responsible for managing the Danger Islands.

As part of Germany’s broader commitment to protecting Antarctica, the

expedition will conduct the first detailed field study of this small yet ecologically significant group of islands. For this, researchers from AWI, ThINK, and UBA will use drone mapping to study colonies, investigate food chains, vegetation and biodiversity, and monitor microplastic and chemical contamination as well as take water profiles using the newly installed 

 provided by AWI. The data collected is intended to help improve global climate models and support political decision-making. Beyond data collection, the expedition aims to go a step further by connecting scientific insight with policy development, transforming research into concrete conservation strategies.

While the Danger Islands themselves are protected under ASPA 180, the surrounding waters, on which most local wildlife depends for food, remain unprotected. Establishing marine protected areas in regions with potential fishing interests has so far proven far more difficult than protecting land areas in Antarctica, yet is in no means less important. This mission therefore seeks to provide evidence for extending protection from land to sea, showing that effective conservation on land requires healthy marine ecosystems. If successful, the findings could serve as a model for expanding protected areas across Antarctica and beyond.

“I am deeply fascinated and personally inspired by the Danger Islands mission, as it’s more than just an expedition, it’s part of a long-term strategy by German scientists and policymakers.” comments 

, founder of Team Malizia and expedition leader on the 

 research vessel for this mission. “Over the next month, we will be operating in an exceptional environment, doing science more sustainably and sharing the experience openly with the public. Through daily updates, dedicated media features, and educational events with schools, we hope to bring people along with us on this journey,” he adds.

For this expedition, an interdisciplinary team of sailing professionals, scientists, and media creators is onboard. Besides Boris Herrmann (Team Malizia skipper), the crew includes 

(geologist at ThINK). Journalists joining the expedition are 

, who operate the vessel and bring extensive Antarctica experience.

After having waited several days in Ushuaia for a safe weather window to cross the Drake Passage, the team is now exiting the Beagle Channel and setting sail towards Antarctica. Once they reach the continent after roughly four days at sea, the crew will look for the next weather window in order to continue their journey to the Danger Islands and begin the scientific operations planned within the Antarctic Specially Protected Area.

Follow the Danger Islands 2025 mission on 

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia Explorer before departure in Ushuaia

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia Explorer earlier this year shortly after the launch of the new research vessel

The initiative is supported by key partner Reederei F. Laeisz, a German shipping company with extensive experience in operating research vessels and who are partnering with the project to advance 

’s scientific mission. The project has also established partnerships with leading scientific institutions and coordinating organisations, including GEOMAR, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Hereon, SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities), OceanOPS (IOC/UNESCO & WMO), the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), and the Prince Albert II Foundation. Together, they will collaborate on specific missions over the next years and contribute to equipping the vessel with a wide range of scientific instruments, and support the processing, management, and scientific interpretation of the collected data. Technical supplier partners are Gleistein, Peter Frisch GmbH – Musto, B&G, SEA.AI, and FLIN.

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!

mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its 

: the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, and KPMG Germany. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.