Activ was build in 1951 at the Ring-Andersen shipyard in Svendborg, Denmark, for A.E.Sørensen shipping company, as a cargo ship designed to sail in the icy waters of Greenland.

It was originally rigged as a ketch with a load capacity of 211 tonnes and a 174-HP engine, meaning it had only two masts and looked quite different from how we know it today. Our lovely skylights, for example, currently providing both daylight and starry skies, used to be hatches for loading cargo into what is now the saloon. 

Thus Activ, which was back then called "Mona", sailed along the eastern coasts of Greenland from 1958 to 1960, bringing provisions to the small settlements. 

From 1960 to 1964 the ship sailed in the packet route between "Nordatlantens Brygge" in Copenhagen and Ammassalik in Grenland. 

Former owners
The first owner was R.P Sørensen, back when she was called "Mona". Formally it was bought by A.E. Sørensen in 1953, and then renamed "Svendborg". In 1964 it was sold to Einer Sørensen, who then proceeded to sail with cargo, while having his wife and kids living on board with him. Einer renamed the ship, once again, to its current name "Activ" and sailed with it until 1975.

The ship was then bought by German architect, Volkwin Marg, who re-rigged the ship into a topgallant schooner - adding the third mast and square sails on the foremast. Therefore Activ is now equipped with a traditional sailing rig closer related to ships build in the late 18th century, than the ones build at its time, but the new rig fits the hull as if it were meant to be. 

Measurements: 
Length over deck: 29,4 metres
Length over all: 42 metres
Beam: 7,0 metres
Draft: 2,95 metres
Engine: 316-HP Scania
 

Changes, once again 

As of the spring of 2018, top gallant schooner Activ of London is about to go through yet another change of hands and change of scenes. Volkwin Marg has generously donated the ship to the non-profit foundation, Activ Expeditions, lead by an advisory board consisting of a wide range of artists, scientists, authors, sailors, Volkwin Marg himself and Jonas Bergsøe, captain of Activ throughout 16 years - collaborating in defining the new paths of Activ. 
Our goal is to undertake new challenges, engage in sailing expeditions all over the world and being the perfect imperfect frame for a dynamic refuge. Read more about our projects and visions here.