A program that took the rest of the world by storm, filmed with a superyacht and superyacht-expedition company, premieres stateside this week. On January 20, Americans will see how the yacht Alucia and EYOS Expeditions played vital roles in the making of Blue Planet II, the highly acclaimed ocean documentary.
Blue Planet II, an eight-episode series, features Sir David Attenborough, the noted naturalist, as host. It’s a sequel to the 2001 documentary mini-series Blue Planet. Just as the original did, Blue Planet II explores the oceans, showing rare and unusual life living deep below. Furthermore, it shines a spotlight on the problems our oceans face. First aired overseas, from November through December 2017, Blue Planet II quickly became a hit with viewers and critics. In fact, in the UK, it became the country’s most-watched program of the year.
During the eight episodes, you get to see what’s going on in Antarctica, among other places. Indeed, you get to see some underwater life previously never captured on film. Advances in science and technology, both in filmmaking and expeditions, make it possible. Alucia herself makes a lot possible, too. She appears in footage filmed in Antarctica from late 2016 through early 2017. She spent three months there, conducting three voyages. EYOS Expeditions assisted the yacht and film crews in operations, logistics, and more. To say logistics were complicated is an understatement. “It was filmed under the most trying of circumstances in some of the most remote parts of the world,” says Ben Lyons, EYOS Expeditions’ CEO.
The 184-footer (56-meter) was up to the task, however. Originally built in 1973 as a submarine tender, she underwent a years-long refit starting in 2008. The refit preserved her intrepid, rugged purpose while giving her luxury spaces. Interestingly, Rob Callum, EYOS Expeditions’ founding partner, served as her refit project manager. “Having her as the primary platform for submersible, helicopter, and scuba ops in Antarctica fulfills our original intention,” he explains. (Two submarines aboard Alucia pressed into service, too).
Blue Planet II premieres at 9 p.m. Eastern time on January 20, simulcast across BBC America, AMC, IFC, WE tv, and SundanceTV. The remaining episodes air on BBC America the subsequent Saturday nights.
As fascinating a watch as Blue Planet II is, consider this: EYOS Expeditions has led upwards of 780 voyages to Antarctica since its founding a decade ago.
Leave a Reply