Knut Haugland Heyerdahl in 1944 at a paramilitary training camp in England. It was here that Haugland first heard of Heyerdahl's theories about Polynesian migration patterns, and his plans to cross the Pacific on a balsa wood raft. In 1947 Haugland was invited by Heyerdahl to join the Kon-Tiki expedition as a radio operator. On the expedition Haugland and Torstein Raaby (another former resistance member) were in frequent radio contact with American amateur operators, sending meteorological and hydrographic data to be passed on to the Meteorological Institute in Washington, DC. Despite the tiny radio which had an output of only 6 watts,
Heyerdahl Award academia, science, government, NGO’s and the maritime industry. It is possible to submit nominations online at www.heyerdahlaward.com. The Thor Heyerdahl Environmental Award is additionally supported by Guard, Skuld, Det Norske Veritas and Trade Winds. Heyerdahl Award The Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award was established in 1999 by the explorer and scientist Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) and the Norwegian Shipowners' Association. The prize recognizes candidates from the shipping industry that have made an outstanding contribution to the environment. To qualify for the award, candidates must have demonstrated exceptional technical innovation and environmental work in correspondence with Thor Heyerdahl’s spirit for the