BACK to DAY 28 - https://arcticnorthwestpassage.blogspot.com/2019/07/20190728-day-28-noon-report-2019.html
Being aware of the forecast weather is a learned trait of a master mariner. You are always looking at the direction and velocity of winds and clouds. If you have an Internet connection you are checking with Mr. Weatherman... Since Internet connections are few and far between... work with a Voyage Adviser who can provide you with daily advise...
Here is a time-lapse forecast from the best app, Windy.com
Source: Windy.com
Knowing we are in Tuktoyaktuk NWT and the route East is blocked with 9/10 sea ice in Victoria Strait, Franklin Strait and Peel Sound at this time, it means we need to exercise patience and wait for Mother Nature's gardener to arrive for work in her Garden aka bring in the melt conditions.
What to do? The general VA rule is to advance when conditions allow. You do not want to be waiting weeks away when the sea ice door opens... sea ice becomes very mobile once fragmented and tends to pile up creating new blockages from weather forcings.
Do you see the opportunity opening on July 31st PM at the SW of Banks Island (WP1) in Windy?
Waypoint Numbers for reference.
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Winds at Sachs Harbour (WP1) from the Southeast will start to move sea ice off the western shore of Banks Island and create a navigable fairway between Sachs Harbour (WP1) and Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) between July 31st in the PM to August 2nd PM then shifts to the West.
Sachs Harbour (WP1) to Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) about 178nm @8.5kts = 21 hours enroute vs 48 hours window.
Next...
Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) to Mercy Bay (WP4) August 2nd PM West to August 4th PM SE. Route is about 125nm @8.5kts = 15 hours vs 48 hours window.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_Bay
Plan to use available weather window to anchor Mercy Bay (WP4) then continue routing as weather and sea ice allow.
Mercy Bay (WP4) to Prince of Wales Strait (WP6) where HMS INVESTIGATOR wintered over in 1849-1850 winter. (Reported to be 73°10'N, 117°10'W)
Proceeding to Waypoint 7 is about 222nm @8.5kts = 26 hours
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales_Strait
August 5th PM winds become West increasing to 20kts likely keeping a good fairway open to the SE into Prince of Wales Strait leading to the SE in the POW Strait providing a good lee for transiting into southern ice free waters.
Big bird picture of the sea ice situation... a bit more to go before Cambridge Bay... and alot on the North-NE end (top) of Banks Island...
Dreams do come true... maybe in the Fall on the return West transit?
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20190729-1200 hrs. Noon Report
GPS 69°27′04.8″N 133°01′49.1″W near Northern Store
FO ROB 3,575 - 78 = 3,497 gallons
Remaining range ~2700nm
Distance via Cambridge/Bellot/Beechy/Pond to Ilulissat GL 2245nm
PW full (RO) - secured off to protect from silt damage.
Using aux genset evaporator to make freshwater
8 POB All Well
Welcome to Tuktoyaktuk NWT
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Did I miss anything?
AHEAD to DAY 30 - https://arcticnorthwestpassage.blogspot.com/2019/07/20190730-day-30-noon-report-2019.html
Questions?
I can help!
Email: voyageadviser(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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Knowing we are in Tuktoyaktuk NWT and the route East is blocked with 9/10 sea ice in Victoria Strait, Franklin Strait and Peel Sound at this time, it means we need to exercise patience and wait for Mother Nature's gardener to arrive for work in her Garden aka bring in the melt conditions.
What to do? The general VA rule is to advance when conditions allow. You do not want to be waiting weeks away when the sea ice door opens... sea ice becomes very mobile once fragmented and tends to pile up creating new blockages from weather forcings.
Do you see the opportunity opening on July 31st PM at the SW of Banks Island (WP1) in Windy?
Source: Windy.com
Waypoint Numbers for reference.
Winds at Sachs Harbour (WP1) from the Southeast will start to move sea ice off the western shore of Banks Island and create a navigable fairway between Sachs Harbour (WP1) and Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) between July 31st in the PM to August 2nd PM then shifts to the West.
Sachs Harbour (WP1) to Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) about 178nm @8.5kts = 21 hours enroute vs 48 hours window.
Next...
Source: Windy.com
Cape Prince Alfred (WP2) to Mercy Bay (WP4) August 2nd PM West to August 4th PM SE. Route is about 125nm @8.5kts = 15 hours vs 48 hours window.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_Bay
Plan to use available weather window to anchor Mercy Bay (WP4) then continue routing as weather and sea ice allow.
Mercy Bay (WP4) to Prince of Wales Strait (WP6) where HMS INVESTIGATOR wintered over in 1849-1850 winter. (Reported to be 73°10'N, 117°10'W)
Proceeding to Waypoint 7 is about 222nm @8.5kts = 26 hours
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Wales_Strait
Source: Windy.com
August 5th PM winds become West increasing to 20kts likely keeping a good fairway open to the SE into Prince of Wales Strait leading to the SE in the POW Strait providing a good lee for transiting into southern ice free waters.
Big bird picture of the sea ice situation... a bit more to go before Cambridge Bay... and alot on the North-NE end (top) of Banks Island...
Dreams do come true... maybe in the Fall on the return West transit?
20190729-1200 hrs. Noon Report
GPS 69°27′04.8″N 133°01′49.1″W near Northern Store
FO ROB 3,575 - 78 = 3,497 gallons
Remaining range ~2700nm
Distance via Cambridge/Bellot/Beechy/Pond to Ilulissat GL 2245nm
PW full (RO) - secured off to protect from silt damage.
Using aux genset evaporator to make freshwater
8 POB All Well
Welcome to Tuktoyaktuk NWT
AHEAD to DAY 30 - https://arcticnorthwestpassage.blogspot.com/2019/07/20190730-day-30-noon-report-2019.html
Questions?
I can help!
Email: voyageadviser(AT)gmail(DOT)com
