Polar Ice For 2016

From the most recent log:

N76 31, E098 32 Pressure 1004 wind 15/20k NW water temp 3.5 outside temp 2 8/8 foggy

Well, two good bits of news today. One is our permit came through from Vladivostock to be able to sail directly to Point Barrow. This is good news for a lot of reasons. One of them its the shortest direct route.

Also, after talking to Sergai, after breakfast, he thought we should get a day or two of southerly winds. so if we are lucky, it could move the ice from the land, and let us sneak through. But we need to get closer to take advantage if it does happen.​

The track suggests tacking and/or looking for a break.

Bob Wilson

 

I did see they posted photos of the polar bear and cubs. It is much more interesting to share in the adventure.

Bob Wilson

 

Quick bump: An interesting effort to circumnavigate the Arctic: Tracking - The Polar Ocean Challenge

A mixed bag of emotions today. sailing in strong winds through the night up the coast. Its amazing that just 10 days ago this very same area was solid ice. It then went from open ocean to sporadic ice of 3/10ths With careful helming, you could get through it or around it. Whilst Nikolai’s birthday preparations were being made, we slowly crept north, various old Russian markers on the land could be seen through the dull sky, luckily we had no fog, even though the water temp was now near 1 degree, with the outside temp not much higher. The big difference was there was no wind, so it actually felt balmy. Gradually, the cape came into view, with a myriad of huts and antennas, this is still a Polar station, but also marks the most Northern spot of land of mainland Europe and Asia. At this point, every man and his dog turned up, firstly a convoy going East, another going West. A freighter resupplying the Polar station, and our old hydrographic friends from our blue lagoon days.​

No "reality" show can match this.

Bob Wilson

 

The word for today, "stamukha":

UTC 11:00 SHPSLOG. Which is by the way at the moment is 18:00 local time.

A stamukha is an iceberg that is touching the bottom.

We had to turn round from the ice by the coast last night and find somewhere safe to moor/anchor. There were strong winds so we needed to find somewhere else to sit them out, and the answer was a stamukha.

We knew it might drift, and it did, so when it had drifted into a more dangerous situation, Ben (who was on anchor watch) woke Nikolay and we’ve moved off it to go and have a look at the ice situation just up ahead again​

Source: Stamukha - The Polar Ocean Challenge



A quick peek at the weather and there is a low pressure system in the area with +20 k winds moving the ice away from shore. They have a reasonable chance of breaking out in a day or so. They took a chance and it appears to be paying off.

Bob Wilson

 

So last year, I was following Yong Sheng which made the Arctic crossing in 2015. This year it was wandering around SE Asia and then nothing until it showed up in Glasgow Scotland. So Mr. Google found: Spotted: Yong Sheng Starts 3rd Arctic Run | World Maritime News

MV Yong Sheng, an ice class ship owned by COSCO Shipping’s arm COSCOL, started on July 16 its third voyage via the Arctic Northeast Route which will take the vessel from China’s Port of Tianjin to the UK.
​

Bob Wilson

 

Well it looks like man-made, global warming has opened up both the Northwest and Northeast passages. Enjoy the adventure, @mojo.

The cruise ship doing the NorthWest passage: Crystal Serenity Ship Tracker / Tracking Map Live | Crystal Serenity's Current Location / Position & Track

Bob Wilson

 

What? What? I'm not allowed to poke him with the same care and consideration he has for reality and the truth? What do you think, @mojo?

Kinda a sucks to get what you so readily hand out, don't you think? ... Opps, you don't think, do you. <grins>

What is fascinating is this sailing ship has a chance to meet the cruise ship on the NorthWest passage. <GRINS>

The Chinese ship is working a commercial schedule and won't meet up except they probably passed while transiting the NorthEast passage.

Indeed, man-made global warming from CO{2} has opened the Arctic to navigation during the melt season. A season that seems to be growing longer and more intense. Have a 'snow cone' @mojo.

Bob Wilson

 

Northabout is ~1,500 km from the Bering Sea and the end of the Northeast passage. The Crystal Serenity is working its way up the Alaska coast. The Northwest passage is still clear.

Bob Wilson

 

Crystal Serenity passed Barrow about three hours ago. Barrow is the next port for Northabout, still in the Siberian Sea. Looks like both are well on the way and the Arctic freeze is about 3-4 weeks away. Northabout may have to winter over but we'll see.

Source: Arctic luxury liner cruises into controversy and opportunity - CSMonitor.com

It has been noticed. <GRINS>

The only BS in the story is about the diesel burned by the ship. Total nonsense compared to the hot air released by the skeptics.

FYI, just read this crew report from the Northabout: Laughing with delight, we pinch ourselves to be sure our eyes do not deceive us. - The Polar Ocean Challenge


Along with the picture, awesome!

Bob Wilson