An expedition funded by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) is set to explore the wreck of the Quest, located nearly 400 meters deep in the Labrador Sea. The mission, supported by private donors and corporate sponsors, aims to create a detailed digital record of the vessel that carried renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final journey. Utilizing advanced Canadian underwater imaging technology developed by Voyis, based in Waterloo, Ontario, researchers plan to construct a high-resolution digital twin, offering a comprehensive three-dimensional model of the wreck. Following the investigation of Quest, the team will survey Terra Nova, the ship that transported British explorer Robert Falcon Scott to Antarctica.
CBC News has secured exclusive access to the research vessel Atlantis, which will embark on a 21-day expedition departing from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts on July 2. This initiative marks a new era in underwater archaeology, emphasizing the digital documentation of fragile shipwrecks over physical recovery efforts.
Renowned shipwreck hunter and expedition co-chief scientist David Mearns views the opportunity to document Quest and Terra Nova as a unique occasion, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation” project. Shackleton, a well-known figure in Antarctic exploration, tragically passed away on Quest in 1922 near South Georgia. Quest continued in service for several decades before meeting its fate off the coast of Labrador in 1962.
The Quest lies close to Labrador’s south coast, submerged in approximately 400 meters of water. The subsequent exploration will focus on Terra Nova, resting about 30 kilometers south of the Greenland mainland in around 170 meters of water. The RCGS expedition, following the discovery of the shipwreck in 2024, aims to unravel the mysteries of the wrecks and the debris fields surrounding them.
Mearns emphasizes the significance of confirming the ship’s identity through photographic evidence, highlighting the importance of exploring the debris field for additional insights into the ship’s history and final moments. The expedition will leverage cutting-edge technology, including lasers, stereo cameras, and sophisticated software, to create a detailed digital replica of the wrecks in real-time, transforming the underwater exploration process.
Voyis, a specialist in underwater imaging based in Waterloo, Ontario, renowned for its work on iconic shipwrecks like the Titanic and Endurance, will play a pivotal role in the expedition. The utilization of digital photogrammetry, a safer and more precise method compared to traditional diver-based surveys, offers enhanced capabilities for researchers to analyze and revisit the findings long after the expedition concludes.
While the expedition promises groundbreaking discoveries, challenges loom ahead. The unpredictable conditions of the Labrador Sea, characterized by intense currents and poor visibility, pose significant obstacles. Success hinges on the seamless coordination of technology, piloting expertise, and environmental factors, making the voyage to the shipwreck sites a test of skill and innovation in underwater exploration.
