TURBO CRUISING

24 FEB 2017: Visiting the Arctic and Antarctica may one day become a turbo-charged adventure. A non-profit organization has submitted drawings for a concept vehicle designed to take large groups of people on itineraries with the most challenging terrains, and making stops at destinations meant for exploring.

The Resolute is an all-season, all-terrain cruise vessel that is mobilized by caterpillar tracks or massive heavy-duty wheels, depending on the environment. It is equipped with multiple engines, such as Wärtsilä turbo diesel engines or gas turbine engines to drive its four snow tracks.

The vehicle, created by Charles Bombardier (with designs rendered by Boris Schwarzer) would be like a cruise ship in its amenities; which would include an indoor and an outdoor pool. It would have a garage to store Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles and a helicopter pad for certain outings.

It would also be equipped to serve as a scientific exploration base but the designers see the cruise industry as being their target market.

The Globe and Mail reports Bombardier suggesting that it would “probably be purchased by cruise ship operators willing to diversify their portfolio. That industry would be a fit since it already has the expertise to operate similar vessels.”