Inception

David had it in mind to sail around the North Pole for a few years, since it had been reported that one or both of the iced up passages had started to melt and become passable. A couple of people had tried. One a friend of David’s in a Catamaran. He’d been invited but other matters prevented him form going. As the issues facing the Arctic and this opening up of possible navigation by boat, and boat around the North pole seemed to be becoming more of a reality for the world and the issues that that could present for the Arctic area, David took action and started to plan an expedition.

2014

We researched the historical movements of the pack ice on the route. And researched the kind of boat, sailing boat, that could make the journey. ‘Northabout’ and Irish made aluminium hulled boat was purchased.

We also started researched Russian permits to sail through their waters as we had knew that these can take a long time to obtain. Our journey had begun.

2015

Northabout was surveyed by the specialist insurance company, overhauled, rigged and generally brought up to arctic sea faring standard with the fantastic help of our equipment sponsors, She was then sailed from her then current home in Ireland to Bristol.

Svalbard

We took Northabout to Svalbard for it’s shakedown sail. For 2 months in August and September Svalbard is a large archipelago 600 miles North of Norway. A good place to test the boat. Although there was no sea pack ice there was glacier ice and similar climatic conditions. She was put through her paces, rigging, equipment, living arrangements, safety equipment etc. Then sailed back to Bristol.

The project started looking for expedition sponsors.

Last minute preparations

The boat has been in Sharpness up the road from Bristol for a complete overhaul. The Bristol sailing club kindly took her up there. Colin the boat overhaul manager has done a really fantastic job. We’ve also been doing last minute crew and sponsorship organisation, provisioning and getting as much publicity for the expedition as we can.

Bristol

Northabout departed from Bristol on Sunday the 19th of June. From her mooring by the SS Gt Britain. Her mooring for the last year has kindly been provided by the Bristol Council/ Port Authority.

Leg 1

^19th June 2016
Departure from Bristol on Polar Ocean Challenge Arctic Circumnavigation Expedition

^28th June 2016
Calling in Lerwick, Shetlands, UK

^6st July 2016
Calling in Tromso, Norway

12th July 2016
Arriving in Murmansk, Russia

Leg 2

^20th July 2016
Depart from Murmansk, Russia

^05th August 2016
Approximately sail pass North East Passage ice choke point, Cape Chelyuskin

27th August 2016
Arriving in Point Barrow, Alaska

Leg 3

29nd August 2016
Depart from Point Barrow, Alaska

^04th  September 2016
Calling in Tuktoyakuk, Canada

^11st September 2016
Approximately sail through the North West Passage ice choke point, Bellot Strait (depending on ice conditions here and along the route to get to this point)