Abel TasmanGood winds have taken the crew South to the Aleutian Islands. This long chain of 69 volcanic islands is home to many seabirds, mammals, and fish.
The Abel Tasman sails by the Aleutian Islands. Credit: Cléo Campe, MEDIA.etc
Whilst anchored in Nome, Sylvestre took to the skies for one last time in his paramotor - flying above the harbour with a beautiful sunset in the background, as two local kayakers paddled past.
Sylvestre Campe (Film Director) flies above Nome harbour in a paramotor, with two kayakers below. Credit: Alex RockströmThe crew of the Northwest Passage Ocean Science Expedition are flying the Climate Stripes to share a powerful message - our planet is rapidly warming. The Climate Stripes represent increasing global temperatures from 1850-2023. Each red stripe warns of our warming world. The Arctic helps regulate global climate - but it is warming 3-4x faster than the rest of the world. We need to rapidly ACCELERATE ACTION ON CLIMATE to preserve the world’s refrigerator.
Keith Tuffley stands at the helm of the Abel Tasman, flying the climate stripes. Credit: Ramon Gonçalves, MEDIA.etcSailing through the Bering Strait, the crew crossed over the Arctic Circle (66°33) - between Shishmaref (Alaska, USA) and Uelen (Russia). This crossing marks the end of 8 weeks spent in the Arctic for the crew. They passed by Cape Prince of Wales, the Westernmost point of the USA - and entered the Bering Sea.
Isak Rockström (Skipper) and Rakel Thorell (Crew Member) sailing the Abel Tasman, Ocean Bottles in hand. Credit: Alex RockströmThe crew hoisted the Gennaker sail several times over the past few days, making use of some strong winds to pick up speed as they sailed through the Beaufort Sea. Printed with the iconic Climate Stripes, created by Ed Hawkins, the sail showcases drastic and rapid global temperature rise over the past two centuries.
The Abel Tasman sails through the Beaufort Sea with her Climate Stripes Sail. Credit: Ramon Gonçalves, MEDIA.etcSylvestre and Kester both took to the skies, flying over the beautiful bay, and high enough to see the vast expanse of extensive lakes that cover Victoria Island.
Sylvestre Campe paramotors over the vast lake system on Victoria Island. Credit: Sylvestre Campe, MEDIA.etcThe crew set sail for Cambridge Bay through Queen Maud Gulf. Just south of the Abel Tasman’s route was the Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary - home to the largest variety of geese in North America, and the second largest Ramsar Wetland in the world. As they sailed, the crew saw many geese flying over them in v-formation.
Skipper Isak Rockström boards the Abel Tasman, ready to depart towards Cambridge Bay. Credit: Alex RockströmAfter setting sail from Devon Island, the Abel Tasman encountered its first sea ice, at the mouth of Prince Regent Inlet - having to drop the sails and carefully motor through 3 long bands stretching across the channel. As the crew get further into the Northwest Passages, they must constantly check the winds, currents, weather, and sea ice maps to ensure a safe passage - navigating carefully around blocked areas and with several of the crew at the bow to push large pieces of sea ice away with poles. The sea ice shifts rapidly and can quickly trap small boats for an entire winter season, as the window for navigation is very narrow (3-4 weeks between July/August and September).
The Abel Tasman carefully navigating through a band of sea ice in Prince Regent Inlet. Credit: Ramon Gonçalves, MEDIA.etcWhilst sailing through the calm waters of Tasiujaq (formerly Eclipse Sound) - which separates the very northern part of Baffin Island and the much smaller Bylot Island - the crew of the Abel Tasman were treated to the most beautiful pink sunset.
Pink skies over an iceberg in Tasiujaq (formerly Eclipse Sound). Credit: Keith TuffleyFrom Pond Inlet, the Abel Tasman sailed East to explore some nearby Fjords and glaciers. They visited a glacier that terminates near Lake Inuutiq, as well as taking a look at other interesting features along the coast - taking the opportunity to document the landscape and film interviews.
The crew explore local glaciers on Baffin Island and capture film and audio content
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