The 2009 Arctic Mariner Expedition

[rpwillia]

My friend Tony Lancashire and his friend Kevin look to be about 1/3 way through the Northwest Passage on the 17' Nordic Boat sailboat. They just spent 5 days stuck in the ice on an ice flow and are back moving again. When I read the blogs it reminds me a lot of Ernest Shackelton's book "South" where he recounts his adventure(?) in the Antartics.

You can see the site and follow their progress at http://www.arcticmariner.org

 

[Ross]

Efforts of this nature are fine as long as the participants don't rely on others to rescue them in the event of trouble. They seem to have gotten a very late start. we are only five weeks from the equinox and they are one third of their way after three weeks. By my figures they have at least six weeks to go and the weather will not be getting better.

 

[Ross]

I wonder if you can buy arctic expedition rescue insurance.

 

[paulj]

Ray
For your eyes only.


Please do not worry.

These people
http://cgblog.org/2009/06/15/new-house-bill-new-coast-guard-icebreakers/

and those Canadian Coast people and many more people that seem to be all around the world helping boaters out....big and tiny, smart and dumb, rich and poor, young and old,racers and non racers, open minded and close minded, drug dealers.... etc.
Seems there are people willing to risk there own life just to save another life.


paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

I think they have it covered!

I have never met Kevin, but Tony is quite an accomplished sailor and explorer and he keeps his cool in a pinch. If you look through the info, they did quite a bit of preparation and have some pretty heavy backers (Royal Marines, Royal Navy and a couple of expedition societies) so I think they have things covered. From what I understand they left about when they planned with no delays.

On their blog they had a meeting with the Around the America's Crew which is recorded at http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/story/Crew+Log+63+-+At+Sea+69+02N,+114+04W. The bit about Tony and Kevin being in a pair of flip flops and Krocs is a bit hilarious. As both have had a few tours in Iraq and Afghanistan they are probably pretty happy no one is shooting at them.