National Maritime Museum flips our view of the world with new Ocean Map

The National Maritime Museum will reopen Ocean Court, the central area under the glass roof, on Saturday 7 June to celebrate World Ocean Day. 

The ocean connects all the galleries at the National Maritime Museum. This new central space brings those galleries together. A new floor map will help address ocean blindness by refocusing perspectives away from the continents, as with the traditional Mercator map. Instead, the new Spilhaus Projection, or a map of the world according to fish, shows one, interconnected ocean. It will also represent the ocean depth and key features including the Mariana Trench and Great Barrier Reef.

Tim May, Curator of Maps and Mobilities, said ‘The world is 71% ocean, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at a standard world map. What’s great about the new Ocean Map is that it encourages us to consider the world from a different perspective, one which reclaims the importance of the ocean on which we all depend.’

Two new objects will highlight the impact humans can have on the oceans. A fragment of the MV Sea Empress’s hull will serve as a stark reminder of the impact oil spills can have on the ocean environment. The MV Sea Empress ran aground off Milford Haven in Wales on 15 February 1996, spilling over 70,000 tons of crude oil. It was estimated that a third of Common Scoter ducks died and the local population of starfish fell by 97.5%.

The binnacle from Greenpeace’s first ship, the Rainbow Warrior will also go on display. A binnacle holds navigational instruments on a ship. The Rainbow Warrior was a trawler purchased by Greenpeace in 1978 and was bombed by French agents in Auckland Harbour on 10 July 1985, sinking the ship ahead of a protest against nuclear testing in Moruroa. 

A new hand-painted mural designed by award-winning illustrator Yehrin Tong will evoke the movements of deep-sea currents through a swirling wave pattern that builds to a crescendo as visitors move to the new Ocean Map. 

Aimee Mook, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Curator of Contemporary Maritime, said ‘I am so excited for visitors to see our watery planet from a different perspective. The new map, exciting new mural and new objects will allow us to tell more of our ocean stories.’

The National Maritime Museum will host events across the summer to celebrate the importance of the ocean to our climate, our histories and our cultures. Highlights include the World Ocean Day Festival on 7 June, film screenings and object tours for Refugee Week (16-22 June) and Rhythm! – a series of performances by local and international dancers on 12 July.

Ocean Court closed in March 2024 for refurbishment of the 25-year-old roof. More than 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing has been installed over the central courtyard of the Museum, preventing overheating in a warmer climate. 

 

Notes to Editors:

The National Maritime Museum holds the world’s largest maritime collection, telling stories of Britain’s relationship with the sea.

The National Maritime Museum is part of Royal Museums Greenwich which also incorporates the 17th-century Queen’s House, Royal Observatory Greenwich and the famous clipper ship Cutty Sark. This unique collection of museums and heritage buildings form a key part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a major centre of education and research. The mission of Royal Museums Greenwich is to enrich people’s understanding of the sea, the exploration of space, and Britain's role in world history. For more information, visit www.rmg.co.uk

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Royal Museums Greenwich Press Office
Tel: 020 8312 6790 | Email: press@rmg.co.uk