Residents of the River Medway #2: The SV Iceni

The first thing that struck me on visiting SV Iceni skipper, Tony Malone, was the eclectic mix of books on board: Agatha Christie, Tom Holt. And the story of the Gypsy Moth.

Tony explained that his love of sailing stemmed from visits to the Gypsy Moth and Cutty Sark with his granddad: Moving to Medway in the 80s gave him the opportunity to indulge his passion. Bringing a big selection of random books on board was his way of making the boat less ... boat like and more yacht come time machine! He explains:

"Iceni is a completely unique sailing vessel; there's none like her in the world. She was built on the beach at Upnor as a tough go-anywhere boat, influenced by many different vessels rather than to a specific design. I've had lots of local input and support – new ropes are being made at Chatham Ropery in the Dockyard (it's fascinating how it's all spun, quarter mile lengths in one go) and the community here at Gillingham Marina advise on planning and equipment."

A visual artist with a passion for cooking, which has led to directing photo shoots for the cookery books of notable TV chefs (Jamie Oliver; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) and projects for the BBC and Sunday Times, Tony is taking the Iceni and her crew on a trip to the Arctic next year. He says: 

"The idea for the voyage started a couple of years ago, when I was in hospital recovering from lymph node cancer and a failed business. What kept me going was looking forward to sailing again and doing something unexpected.

We'll have a mix of able bodied and disabled crew members, five in total; three places are filled. All from backgrounds who would never normally get this opportunity – hoping to show that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Iceni's systems all run off iPads, making operations more accessible to disabled people."

Iceni is leaving on June 1st 2013, subject to weather (cue lots of laughter, bearing in mind the beginning of this month!) and should be back during the August. Travelling North East via Scotland and fjord hopping across Norway to Tors Vag , she'll sail directly North to the Svalbard Peninsula  and the island of Spitzberg, where she'll reach the most northerly city in the world, Longyeearbyen. Tony and his crew are excited by the artistic possibilities:

"We'll be right up on the limit of the ice flow extent, and, because of global warming, we may get a lot closer to the North Pole itself. It'll be 24 hours sunlight and the Aurora Borealis will be in full view to stimulate the artists amongst us. Working to a four hour shift pattern, everyone will experience everything, steering round ice bergs and polar bears. Norwegian and UN agreements say that weapons capable of taking out a polar bear have to be on board. But I think we'll just run inside and lock the doors! After all, we're just visitors to their domain."

To help fund the trip, Tony would be grateful if any local companies or organisations will donate anything except cash – he needs tools, equipment and volunteers. He is also willing to accept ethical advertising on the boat. However, for those who wish to make cash donations, please visit the Macmillan Cancer Just Giving page here.

Like Tony, the crew are artists as well as sailors and as they physically cross the sea between the UK and the North Pole, their documenting of the trip will not only be shaped by the reality of their location but also by their imaginations. Tony would love for more local creatives to be involved – see here for more information about the 'imaginary voyage' being undertaken.

One regular crew member who sadly can't make the trip is Bedlington Terrier and Lurcher cross, Tea Cup (Security!) She was a lost and abandoned puppy, found outside the tea company Tony used to work for and when no owner was found - she adopted them. There's a special picture above, just for her fan club on Twitter :)

Facts and figures:

• The four hours shift pattern comprises:  4 hours steering; 4 hours resting; 4 hours assisting; 8 hours sleep
• The whole trip amounts to 4000 miles
• Iceni's flag White Horse flag is hand made by Mary Bodman, mum of the relief skipper Martine Simmons.
• Iceni has a projection system that will project their images onto the sails.
• Environmental impact is negligible: It's sail power all the way except for entry and exit from port. She will be running off solar panels and wind turbines, subject to sponsorship.
• The wind chill factor will be -43 degrees. There will be long johns.
• Iceni has an insulated interior, with double glazed, bullet proof windows going in this winter.
• Two log burners will keep the temperature inside at 30 degrees

For more information about SV Iceni and the White Horse Project, please visit the website, currently being updated, here.