23 July 2014, by Matt Shupe [76N, 131E]:
Some of the crew on the Oden
I’ve been onboard Oden a few times before: Six weeks in late summer 2008 on an expedition from Svalbard out towards the North Pole and back; two months ago in port in Helsingborg, Sweden; and now here for this expedition. There are a couple distinctive features about Oden. First, she is quite capable in the ice because she has fairly strong engines for her size and a unique front end. Blunt nosed versus the typical pointed nose of most ships, with ballast tanks on either side that pump water back-and-forth to create a roll to the ship that helps in breaking ice. Second, Oden has nice Scandinavian style: Lots of wood floors and trim; two saunas; a comfortable lounge. But perhaps most distinctive is the crew. They are extremely helpful and pleasant in all aspects of the project. They find a solution for any problem, and do so with a smile. And, importantly, they are sociable. There is not a divide among crew and scientists that is more common on other vessels, making for a great team atmosphere. Captain Mathias is really a role model in this regard, being open and accessible at all times, eating meals with us all, and leading the way socially.
