Shackleton’s Endurance

Client: The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

Borough: N/A

Date: 2022 - present

This project is something of a departure from our usual brief. In late 2022, we were approached by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust to work on the Conservation Management Plan for Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance, which was discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea, east of the Antarctic Peninsula in March 2022. It is a privilege to work on this piece of marine history and an opportunity to develop our portfolio of delivering on historical projects. 

The discovery of the wreck made headlines around the world and there are numerous stakeholders and organisations that require consultation regarding the surveying, conservation and management of the vessel.

Comm Comm UK were delighted to work with UKHAT and their partners Historic England and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to consult with expert stakeholders, including the Shackleton Family, British Antarctic Survey, Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and Endurance22 expedition members, and drafted a Consultation Report to evidence how expert feedback had been used to finetune the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the wreck. The publication of the CMP was widely reviewed on national news platforms and garnered international press. This was a real first for CCUK and a great example of how strong consultation can be effective in a different field.

BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr48y7n1r7o

Guardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/10/shackletons-wrecked-endurance-to-get-extra-protection 

Smithsonian Mag https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-endurance-shipwreck-gets-new-protections-amid-warming-antarctic-waters-180984683/ 

Evening Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/ernest-shackleton-endurance-shipwreck-protection-antarctica-b1169760.html