Any Private Boat Attempt the Northern Sea Route over Russia?

[Dauntlessny]

My impression is that the Northern Sea Route is much more open, in part because they do not have the narrow passageways of the NW Passage.

But i've yet to read any first hand accounts.

Also, i'm under the impression that the bureaucracy of Russia may be the biggest obstacle.

Any one know??

[Benz]

I read about a sailboat some years back that did it along with the NW passage in one season. Sort of a polar circumnavigation. I think they were Norwegian, which may have helped with permitting and such.
Wish I could remember where I saw it.
I think the crux would be getting from the Kara Sea into the Laptev sea--there's a narrow channel that looks like it would easily choke with ice.
Which direction were you thinking of? I think coming from the east would be easier, but I think the Norwegians did it starting in Norway.

[Dockhead]

A number of private yachts have done it.


Eric Brossier in 2002 was the first to do it in one season.


Tron Aasvoll did it in a 36' boat in 2009.


Others did it in 2010, including a Russian boat.



Adrian Flanagan did it in the 00's -- https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/a...for-home-15712


Northabout did it in 2016 as part of a polar circumnav.



Nowadays there are increased bureaucratic demands. There is good practical information in the RCC Arctic & Northern Waters pilot book. I don't have it with me and don't remember the details.

[Dauntlessny]

Thanks all. Yes, mmy impression is the biggest problem is Russian bureaucracy.

Yes, I'd like to do it east to west, leaving Japan in July, hoping to get to Norway in September.

Won't happen for at least 5 years now, but that's the plan.

[moctrams]

Matt Rutherford did it:
Solo Around the Americas Under Sail | An audacious attempt at sailing the Northwest Passage and circumnavigating entirety of both continents, to benefit Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Dauntlessny

Thanks all. Yes, mmy impression is the biggest problem is Russian bureaucracy.

Yes, I'd like to do it east to west, leaving Japan in July, hoping to get to Norway in September.

Won't happen for at least 5 years now, but that's the plan.

You'll need a Russian-speaking pilot. I might volunteer for a small fee if I'm not otherwise engaged

[Dauntlessny]

Thanks. Stay tuned

[El Pinguino]

My friends Riitta and Pekka went through on Sarema in 2013... they thought the route had been closed to yachts soon thereafter but these things are always changing..

Northern Sea Route

[Dauntlessny]

Thanks for the link.