Original Norwegian Rescue Sailing Vessel Frithjof Wiese for Adventure Sailing Charter and Rescue, Logistics, Climbing and Photo Services

Thousands of seaman owe their lives to the Norwegian sailing lifeboats. Mention Colin Archer sailing lifeboats in Norway and you often get strong reactions. Hardy old men with jutting chins, self-reliant women who take their children to school by boat, even teenage girls, are reduced to a state of wistful reverence just thinking about the famous seaworthy craft. You get the feeling that they are almost close to tears, but it's hardly surprising; just about everyone in this nation of seafarers seems to have a relative who owes his or her life to the bravery and proven capabilities of the men and vessels called Stormy Petrels, of the Norwegian Service.

Norway was one of the last European countries to adopt a lifeboat service; in 1824 the British RNLI had been the first, soon followed by France, Denmark, Germany and others, but the Norwegians were challenged with the task of providing adequate services for the complex and rugged fjord coastline. The basic Colin Archer design constraints were to provide sufficient buoyancy to ride in heavy seas. To achieve this, considerable beam was implemented. Additionally, pronounced flare in the bows, quarters, and amidships provided reserve buoyancy. Speed was not an important design constraint although the ability to make windward progress in adverse seas was desirable. A double-skin hull design was proven essential to the seaworthiness and mission readiness of rescue vessel work. The result of these design requirements became a standard for Colin Archer world famous rescue vessels, hull length 14 meters and beam four meters, displacement of 36 tons. As marine diesel engines became more reliable, vessel designs were modified to incorporate new technology yet continue to incorporate proven sailing capabilities.

In the 1960's many rescue vessels were sold to private owners since the Norwegian economy was recovering from the second world war. Olie Johansen was the first private owner to own Frithjof Wiese. He sailed from Norway to Seattle, Washington via the Panama canal and sold Frithjof Wiese to Mike Ryan in 1981. He, along with his wife and six children, lived aboard her in Orcas Island, Washington. In 1986, the McMullen Family purchased Frithjof Wiese and brought her to California commencing an eighteen year restoration project. Presently, Frithjof Wiese is fully capable of ocean voyages and will be leaving the west coast of the United States for Hawaii, Alaska, Seattle, Panama Canal, Baffin Islands, Greenland and Europe.