Eight Automatic Identification System (AIS) pleasure craft targets remain north of Ditchburn Point waiting for improved sea ice conditions through Bellot Strait into Franklin Strait.
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Currently sea ice is reported to be 9/10 in Bellot Strait which presents a very dangerous situation when attempting navigation during the tidal 5 knots of current flowing east or west as tides change several times a day.
Port Kennedy, Bellot Strait, Nunavut Tide Chart
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Port Kennedy, Bellot Strait, Nunavut Tide Chart
Port Kennedy, Bellot Strait, Nunavut
72.0167° N, 94.2000° W
2018-09-02 Sun 10:05 PM EDT Sunset
2018-09-02 Sun 10:39 PM EDT Last Quarter
2018-09-03 Mon 12:41 AM EDT 0.91 meters Low Tide
2018-09-03 Mon 6:07 AM EDT 1.48 meters High Tide
2018-09-03 Mon 6:28 AM EDT Sunrise
2018-09-03 Mon 12:49 PM EDT 0.63 meters Low Tide
2018-09-03 Mon 7:30 PM EDT 1.68 meters High Tide
2018-09-03 Mon 10:00 PM EDT Sunset
2018-09-04 Tue 1:56 AM EDT 0.96 meters Low Tide
2018-09-04 Tue 6:33 AM EDT Sunrise
2018-09-04 Tue 7:15 AM EDT 1.43 meters High Tide
2018-09-04 Tue 1:56 PM EDT 0.62 meters Low Tide
2018-09-04 Tue 8:50 PM EDT 1.74 meters High Tide
2018-09-04 Tue 9:54 PM EDT Sunset
2018-09-05 Wed 3:16 AM EDT 0.95 meters Low Tide
2018-09-05 Wed 6:38 AM EDT Sunrise
2018-09-05 Wed 8:37 AM EDT 1.43 meters High Tide
2018-09-05 Wed 3:09 PM EDT 0.59 meters Low Tide
2018-09-05 Wed 9:49 PM EDT Sunset
2018-09-05 Wed 10:02 PM EDT 1.83 meters High Tide
2018-09-06 Thu 4:29 AM EDT 0.88 meters Low Tide
2018-09-06 Thu 6:42 AM EDT Sunrise
2018-09-06 Thu 9:54 AM EDT 1.50 meters High Tide
2018-09-06 Thu 4:20 PM EDT 0.52 meters Low Tide
2018-09-06 Thu 9:43 PM EDT Sunset
Immediately upon exiting Bellot Strait to the west is a 6/10 ice concentration in Peel Sound. This amount of ice concentration is effective in blocking yachts from exiting or entering Bellot Strait. A rule of thumb says 3/10 of ice concentration the limit for prudent small craft.
The encouraging news is just a day ago this zone was 9/10 ice concentration. Ice is continuing to move north with deterioration.
How long will yachts wait?
I believe the answer comes down to favorable weather, provisions and a determination to give all they can having come thousands of miles... wait without entering the danger zone of concentrated sea ice floes or build-up of freezing precipitation on superstructures.
Bad weather may be the event that moves ice towards the west creating an opening along the eastern shore... given enough S, SE or E winds and favorable days after storm front passage it could be a plausible tactic.
Having trouble with sea ice maps? Here is an easy was to make heads or tales of the above sea ice map... lol
Thanks EW for the graphic... KISS works.
Weather Forecast
Monday 20180903-1200 hours
Tuesday 20180904-1200 hours
Wednesday 20180905-1200 hours
Thursday 20180906-1200 hours
Friday 20180907-1200 hours
Saturday 20180908-1200 hours
Sunday 20180909-1200 hours
Hurry up and wait another week... because the above weather does not appear to be moving much ice... it's going to be longer than next Sunday before Mother Nature could invite you into her garden... YMMV
Questions?
I can help!
Email: voyageadviser (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Stay Safe Everyone!