The spirit of the legendary British polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton will be summoned on March 18 in Dorset, when details of the centenary re-enactment expedition, the ‘Shackleton Epic’ are announced and the James Caird replica boat is officially launched.

The newly constructed 6.9m expedition vessel, an exact replica of Shackleton’s boat, will be named Alexandra Shackleton in honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s granddaughter, custodian of the Shackleton legacy and patron of the expedition, at a ceremony on March 18 at Portland Marina, Dorset.

The Shackleton Epic expedition in January 2013 will be led by renowned British/Australian adventurer and environmental scientist Tim Jarvis AM. www.shackletonepic.com

Along with patron The Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, who will launch the vessel, and expedition leader Tim Jarvis AM FRGS, the event will be attended by members of the expedition crew including skipper Captain Darren Naggs MN AMNI, Petty Officer Seb Coulthard RN FRGS and WO2 Barry Gray RM. They have answered Shackleton’s famous request: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.”

boats.comTo date, no one has successfully completed Shackleton’s ‘double’, an incredible journey sailing a small rowing boat 800 nautical miles across the world’s roughest oceans from Elephant Island, off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, to South Georgia and scaling its rugged peaks.  The Shackleton Epic will be first ever expedition to authentically replicate the most treacherous legs of Shackleton’s journey, using only 1916 technology, food and equipment.

The Shackleton Epic combines the mission of exploration with protection of the Antarctic’s marine environment. Throughout the journey Jarvis will use the latest scientific data to compare climactic conditions the modern day crew face with those Shackleton and his team faced 100 years ago.