EXPEDITION PARTNERS

Direct Energy is one of North America’s leading integrated energy companies and a member of the Centrica group of companies. It has more than five million customers spread across Canada, Texas and the north eastern United States, serving them with low and zero carbon power generation. Direct Energy is a funding partner of the Open Passage Expedition and it is also providing the project with carbon offset credits to make this a carbon neutral expedition.

Canadian North is 100 per cent owned by Aboriginals and has been serving the country's North for more than 75 years. The airline, together with its partner carriers, provides service to all of Arctic Canada from Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa using Boeing 737-200 Combi and Dash 8 aircraft. Canadian North is providing the expedition with passenger and cargo support in the North, as well as helping the team interact with Arctic communities.

The World Wide Fund is focused on conserving critical places and species that are particularly important for their habitat or for people. Since 1992, WWF's International Arctic Programme has been working to preserve the Arctic's rich biodiversity with actions ranging from protected area management, promoting public awareness of important conservation issues, to national and regional advocacy work for the establishment of appropriate policies. WWF is providing the expedition with expertise in Arctic climate change issues and helping us tell our story to a broader audience. They are also sponsoring this summer's NorthEAST passage expedition, led by Swedish/Norwegian polar explorer Ola Skinnarmo.

Discovery.com has created a new 3-D digital globe application called Discovery Earth Live to explain climate change to a wide audience and the Open Passage Expedition will be providing the site with content. By layering NASA and NOAA data on the globe, Discovery.com creates a visual representation of the state of the planet. Discovery Earth Live offers various layers of data, stories and images, as well as information on expeditions such as ours. Visitors can read blogs by the crew, view photos as well as information on the region, the equipment they are using and the wider ranging impact of climate change along the route of the Silent Sound.

Chlorophylle was founded in the small Quebec town of Chicoutimi in 1980 by a small group of people who had a dream to create high quality outdoor clothing that would appeal to a wide range outdoor enthusiasts. The company quickly grew into an international sportswear brand while keeping its passion for the spirit of exploration and its respect for the environment its customers love so much. Chlorophylle is outfitting the crew with clothing to keep them warm and dry.

Established in 1946 as Ulmer Sails, UK-Halsey Sailmakers is one of the oldest groups of lofts in North America. Over 60 years later, the UK-Halsey group has more than 50 lofts and service centres around the globe. In the spring of 2005, UK Sailmakers merged with the Halsey-Lidgard group, forming one of the most comprehensive sailmakers in the world to serve both racers and cruisers. UK-Halsey is supplying Silent Sound’s new sails, which are being made in the Hong Kong loft by Barry Hayes.

Mustang Survival was started by Irv Davies in Vancouver in 1967 when he made the first Floater Coat, and since then the Canadian company has become an industry leader with its design and manufacture of safety and protection garments. Mustang has become the trusted brand for immersion suits and harness/lifejackets in the offshore sailing community, and its products are used by both US and Canadian Coast Guard. It also manufactures a wide range of other safety gear for use by everyone from military and law enforcement to offshore fishermen and recreational boaters. Mustang is providing the harness/lifejackets and immersion suits worn by the crew of the Open Passage Expedition.

Sponsorship opportunities
The Open Passage Expedition can offer partners an excellent opportunity to associate themselves with an adventurous project that carries a strong message of environmental protection and positive action on climate change issues. Partners can enjoy the following benefits:
>> Personal appearances and photo presentation/talks by an expedition team member
>> Logos on Silent Sound’s mainsail and hull, with logo flown as a battle flag in/out of ports
>> Professionally written articles and testimonials for publication in corporate materials and newsletters  
>> High-quality digital images of the boat/crew in the Arctic displaying the partner’s logo
>> Professionally shot video of the boat/crew in the Arctic displaying the partner’s logo
>> Clickable logos on the expedition website homepage and partners page

The expedition is seeking both equipment and funding partners. We are specifically seeking partners in these areas:
>> Marine equipment such as sails, electronics, safety equipment and outdoor clothing
>> Airline tickets, courier and shipping services, vehicle rentals (in Victoria and Halifax)
>> Provisions (food and drink, first aid supplies, batteries, fuel)

The Open Passage Expedition has not yet signed contracts for film and publication rights.

If you are interested in supporting the expedition please contact us at info@openpassageexpedition.com.