USCG Rescues trapped Sailboat

[Steadman Uhlich]

Here is a link to a more detailed article that has more photos of the vessels involved.

http://northwestpassage2014.blogspot...rom-uscgc.html

Take a look at the sailboat in the ice field!

It seems more and more people are looking at the NWP as a "cruising" route now.

Given that Jimmy Cornell is going this year, imagine the future rallies of more cruisers in the future.

Already done the ARC? What next? Hmmm.....how about the NWP?
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Of course people will ask "Why?" (as in WHY do people do this?)

The answer always seems to be one of the following (some may not be said in public):

1. "Because it is there."

2. "Because I can."

3. "Because I want to."

4. "To Prove I am special."

5. "To do real scientific research, this is an 'expedition.''"

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I would take the NWP too, but only on the "Healy" (the USCG Ice Breaker).
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[ontherocks83]

Not seeing the emergency here. This guy should be charged for the rescue he had plenty of options besides hitting the panic button. I mean come on everyone knows he could have just walked home on the ice.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by ontherocks83

Not seeing the emergency here. This guy should be charged for the rescue he had plenty of options besides hitting the panic button. I mean come on everyone knows he could have just walked home on the ice.

The contentious issue here is whether or not some people think the Coast Guard is synonomus with Triple A. This being the internet, snap judgments based on essentially nothing are generally the rule rather than the exception.

Only our resident "armchair lawyers and strategic sailing experts" (think they) know for sure.

[IdoraKeeper]

Oh blubber blubber blubbery....of course sailing in ice will not make you an Inuit. Nor does it make you an idiot. You guys are always on about the crowding in tropical paradise.. These guys are onto something. But, I just wonder what kind of anchor they have.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Rescuing sailor's on the Northwest Passage?

What would Lord Franklin think?!

Actually, a very significant rescue effort was made for him and his crew too. But he and all of his crew were lost, despite many trying to find him. Back then, taking a big risk like the NWP had consequences.

Franklin's lost expedition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here is a great song I heard performed live back in the 1970s by a great Irish duo. Lovely song. Have a listen.

Lord Franklin Micheál O'Domhnaill - YouTube

[Steadman Uhlich]

Some people have good luck, some have bad luck, regardless of their skill, equipment, or backing.

Here is a link to a blog about a young couple who have sailed some or all of the NWP on an "old" cruiser (29 foot wood) boat, and they were successful (i.e. not lost at sea or requiring rescue that I know of). When I read about their voyage, I was amazed and greatly impressed. Why? Because so many other accounts feature crews (usually men) who are "serious" sailors in their approach or hype their "scientific expedition" credentials. I have respect for all of them for trying it. But I have even more amazement that a young couple could do it! To me, that is like someone successfully climbing Everest in sneakers with a day pack.

While I would not do this (take this route) myself, I gotta hand it to those who have the skills and good luck to make it.

If you have not yet seen this blog about this young couple, take a look. I was amazed.
Teleport Expeditions - Chris Bray & Jess Taunton

[hellosailor]

Mmmmm....Molson Flavor Turkish Taffy!

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I need to broaden my horizons - Why anyone wants to be on a sailboat surrounded by ice is unfathomable.

I heard more than one cruiser bitching in Panama about Canal fees and how difficult is to keep beer cold and make ice for the daily dose of Scotch.. all those problems are solved now!

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

A new nationality... Canadian-Turkish

Sounds like a new sandwich recipe.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Sounds like a new sandwich recipe.

Yup...Imitation turkey. Made with soy beans.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

Some people have good luck, some have bad luck, regardless of their skill, equipment, or backing.

Here is a link to a blog about a young couple who have sailed some or all of the NWP on an "old" cruiser (29 foot wood) boat, and they were successful (i.e. not lost at sea or requiring rescue that I know of). When I read about their voyage, I was amazed and greatly impressed. Why? Because so many other accounts feature crews (usually men) who are "serious" sailors in their approach or hype their "scientific expedition" credentials. I have respect for all of them for trying it. But I have even more amazement that a young couple could do it! To me, that is like someone successfully climbing Everest in sneakers with a day pack.

While I would not do this (take this route) myself, I gotta hand it to those who have the skills and good luck to make it.

If you have not yet seen this blog about this young couple, take a look. I was amazed.
Teleport Expeditions - Chris Bray & Jess Taunton

Actually, the first people to actually sail (not motor) the NWP did it in a hobie cat! Took them three seasons to complete it.

[JPA Cate]

Chris Bray is a grown up cruising kid. He has done a lot of adventure stuff, acquiring sponsorship and fulfilling contracts. He has two books out now, that I am aware of.

Ann

[AK_sailor]

Originally Posted by StuM

But....but.... Isn't this supposed to be the year that the Arctic is finally ice-free in summer according to the climate scientists?

Arctic Sea Ice Gone in Summer Within Five Years?

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Arctic summers ice-free 'by 2013'

Didn't Al Gore confirm that in his Nobel acceptance speech.

Gore: Arctic Ocean ice-free as early as 2014 - National World News | Examiner.com

In any discussion, it is worthwhile to understand what the terminology means. "Ice-Free Arctic" is generally defined as having less than one million square kilometers of sea ice. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_shrinkage

A million square kilometers of ice is still a lot of ice, especially if one's boat is in the middle of it.