Ella Hibbert is a 28 year old RYA accredited Yachtmaster Instructor and PADI Divemaster. Born in Germany and raised between England and France, she is bilingual, adventurous and well-travelled. She has always been passionate about the conservation of our oceans, having previously done volunteer work in the field, and is now looking at undertaking an unprecedented expedition to raise global awareness of the impacts of climate change on our Arctic environment.

Ella plans to travel alone 10,000 miles around the Arctic Circle and complete the first ever solo circumnavigation of the arctic.

Ella plans to slip lines from Haslar Marina, Portsmouth, England, in May 2025.

Ella aims to showcase sea ice decline and raise awareness of the rapidity at which we are destroying the Arctic, endangering not only the animals and inhabitants of the Northern-most reaches of our globe, but also highlighting the devastating worldwide impact this is having. Ella’s voyage also aims to support two charities working tirelessly to protect the Arctic: Polar Bears International and the Ocean Conservancy.

No, a solo circumnavigation of the arctic has never been attempted. The purpose of Ella’s expedition is not to set a record but rather to highlight the extent of sea ice decline by undertaking a journey which should not be possible were it not for our impact on the planet.

Ella is going to be spreading awareness about the work being done by both of these charities, throughout the time leading up to her sail, during, and after. She is not affiliated with the projects, websites or programs of either charity – she is an admirer of their work, and believes more people need to know about the risks the Arctic ecosystem is facing. Ella will be auctioning her ship Yeva at the end of her expedition, with all the proceeds from the auction to be donated directly to both Polar Bears International and Ocean Conservancy.

Ella estimates it will take roughly 5 months to complete her expedition, starting in May 24th and returning sometime in October of the same year.

Ella will be sailing from Haslar Marina, in the Solent, up the East coast of England, to a start point on the 66.5°N latitude of the Arctic Circle between Norway and Iceland. Then, around Iceland, southern Greenland, through Canada across the Northwest Passage, then across Northern Alaska, and into Russian waters. She will then cross the Laptev and Kara seas (Northeast Passage) and eventually return to her starting point near Norway, before heading back down the coastline of the UK and arriving home at Haslar Marina. 

Ella’s boat is a 38ft Bruce Roberts designed steel-hulled ketch called Yeva. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Yeva underwent an extensive refit period, and is now fully equipped for an extensive, offshore ocean voyage. Yeva boasts new sails, new rigging, solar panels, wind vane, hydro-generator, water maker and heating, amongst other features, making her as self-sufficient as possible. She also carries a new engine, which Ella hopes to use as little as possible during the expedition.

Circumnavigating the arctic alone presents numerous challenges and dangers throughout the months long journey. In addition to unpredictable weather, tall waves, icebergs and hostile wildlife, Ella will need to be almost constantly awake to avoid her ship drifting or colliding with the fast-moving sea ice. Throughout most of her journey, she will be unable to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time. Ella will also need to manage any repairs and other emergencies in complete isolation, hundreds or even thousands of miles from the nearest settlements.

Ella will be taking with her all the supplies she needs to complete the journey around the arctic. However, in the event of an emergency, she can stop in a number of ports around the Arctic Circle to resupply or repair her ship. 

You can follow Ella’s progress on this website on which you can find the latest updates as well as a live map sharing her location once she departs. You can also follow Ella on social media through the following channels:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ellainthearctic

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ella.at.66.5N

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellainthearctic/#

Tiktok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ellainthearctic?_t=8jszOswDtU9&_r=1

Ella would love to receive any letters, notes of encouragement, poems, photographs (or anything at all really!), to cheer her up during the long months of the expedition! Ella will be reading and opening letters and gifts during important milestones of the journey, such as entering the Arctic circle, completing the northwest passage, the halfway point, completing the northeast passage, etc. If you would like Ella to set sail with a message memento of yours on board, please send them by email through our Contact Page or by post to:

Ella Hibbert

Haslar Marina
Haslar Road
Gosport
PO12 1NU

While Ella’s trip is fully funded thanks to her generous sponsors, she encourages anyone who wishes to support her expedition to instead donate to the two charities she is supporting, Polar Bears International and Ocean Conservancy. To make a donation, please follow the links below:

Polar Bears International: https://polarbearsinternational.org/

Ocean Conservancy: https://oceanconservancy.org/protecting-the-arctic/

At the end of her journey, Ella will be auctioning the incredible yacht that will have carried her around the Arctic : S/Y Yeva. All of the proceeds from Yeva’s auction will be donated, in equal 50/50% split, to two charities working to protect the Arctic and its inhabitants, as well as the oceans of a larger scale: Polar Bears International and Ocean Conservancy.