The Ishavsmuseet took over the M/S Polarstar
Thursday, May 12, marked a new milestone in the proud history of Ishavsmuseet Aarvak. The purchase papers were signed, and the museum's subsidiary, Veteranskutelaget Polarstar, is now the owner of one of the country's most important cultural monuments.
Willy Nesset, through his company VS Poland, has spent nearly 15 years putting in an enormous amount of work and money to save M/S Polarstar. The extensive restoration in Poland lasted almost four years and cost around 21 million kroner. This was the second time that Polarstar was saved from scrapping. Now that Willy Nesset has decided that it might be time for someone else to take the project forward, the Ishavsmuseet is happy to have the opportunity to do so.
"We could not sit idly by and watch Polarstar disappear to other places in the country," says Eldar Hareide, chairman of the board of Ishavsmuseet.
– The intention has always been that Polarstar will return to Brandal. When it now happens, I am very, very happy. I am very pleased that we found a good solution, says Willy Nesset. He also wants to highlight the enormous effort of all the volunteers around Polarstar who have contributed.
– Without this group of 30–40 enthusiastic helpers, Polarstar would never have become as good as it is, he says.
Webjørn Landmark at the Ishavsmuseet says that the purchase has been financed through a bank loan for the time being, and – in fact, agreements are already in place for the next five years for a sum of around six million kroner – which will go towards operating the boat and paying off the loan in the first few years. The management at the Ishavsmuseet is aware of the huge task that the Veterans' Shipyard Polarstar has now taken on, but is optimistic about the future of the ship. But it cannot be denied that a lot of good help is needed here in the years to come.
As a museum specializing in seal hunting and polar fishing, Ishavsmuseet Aarvak today has one of the largest polar collections in the Nordic countries. The museum can now also boast not just one but two polar ships. The second-generation polar ship Aarvak, which was built in 1912, and the third-generation polar ship Polarstar, which was the first steel seal catcher, built in Glasgow in 1948.
– Being able to operate Polarstar along the coast, and convey this rich history of ours in a great way, opens up many new possibilities for Ishavsmuseet. In addition, it is nice to have a boat that can be used at sea, approved and with all the papers in order. It is a boat in fantastic condition. A national treasure, says Webjørn Landmark.
