Déclaration Damocles
During the symposium organised by Damocles in Brussels from 10th to 12th November 2009, scientists have worked out a declaration summarizing the key findings from the project, as well as future projections and scenarios.
Blog
Petit tour à l'anse Vagabond
It has been few months that weather data were not received by scientists from Damocles. Inglefield Bay's station, at Vagabond's former wintering location, is though working properly. The only problem is that data is not sent in real time any more. This is what could be checked by Sébastien Barrault, during a short visit on Friday 13th November. The helicopter's pilots were hoping for a coffe on board Vagabond... but the site, plunged in polar night, was only occupied by pack ice, icebergs and polar bears tracks.
Jin, Frost et Imiaq
Since beginning of July, Jin, Frost and Imiaq are living in Ny-Alesund. Our 3 Greenlandic dogs, best friends of Vagabond during the 5 years mission in Spitsbergen, are still supporting polar science!
Lanton, Hanvec
Last night, we were just back home in Brittany when Banquise gave birth to Eskimo! Banquise (Pack ice) is the name of one of our neighbour's charolais cow. Amazing coincidence.
It is now time for evaluation. First about Le Manguier's journey, from Corsica to Alaska, through the North-East passage: an exciting trip, but not as ecological as planned, analysis to come. Then about the 5 winterings of Vagabond in Spitsbergen: here is a first report, before the final one.
Few festivals and other events will also allow us to share our last adventures. More details here soon.
A the end of the winter, Vagabond will be convoyed from Liland, in Norway, to Brittany, where she will be prepared to sail to the Arctic again in 2011. Meanwhile, from April to September 2010, Vagabond's crew will set up on board Ecotroll, heading for Greenland!
Transit moscovite
On 21st September, Le Manguier crossed Bering Strait, few days after the yachts RXII and Explorer of Sweden. This second North-East passage, France and I experienced it with our little family, with an unusual crew, on board an amazing boat! 3 days later, in Provideniya, a little team "artist-cameraman-photographer-pilot" disembarked, with 150 kg of equipment, including few kilos of precious pictures. Other projects and already late season pushed us reasonably to come back to Europe by air ways. After 8 days exciting and full of developments in Chukotka (another story...), France, Léonie, Tristan and I left Anadyr today, while snowing. Few hours later, our plane was flying above Tiksi, covered with white as well. Then, it was passing close to Begichev Island, then south of White Island, then Vaigach Island... What an impression to do again, so quickly, in the opposite direction, most part of our journey! We are now on transit in Moscow, the opportunity to meet some of our friends. Far from here, in Aleut Islands (not in Japan anymore), Le Manguier should be getting ready for the winter, while the rest of the crew is at least having some rest.
Affluence
More than 12 boats are now sailing the Arctic sea routes, connecting Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
NORTH-EAST PASSAGE (Northern Sea Route):
From West to East:
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RX11 (Norwegian yacht)
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Eshamy (English yacht)
None from East to West.
NORTH-WEST PASSAGE:
From West to East:
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a 10 meters cutter
From East to West:
Ice Pilot !
While Vagabond is resting at anchor, not far from Lofoten Islands, our trip to Bering Srait is going on. After many inspections of Le Manguier and all our documents, authorities from Moscow and Murmansk gave permission for the ship to sail through the Northern Sea Route. I've also been accepted as Ice Pilot on board! No ice for now, and we are already entering Kara Sea.
of Le Manguier.
Mourmansk
Le Manguier finally arrived in Murmansk on 10th August, with needed help from the Murmansk Maritime Agency. France and me are re-discovering the city, ... I met again our partner from 7 years ago, SMNG, the director gave me a warm and efficient welcoming to work on the last administrative steps, hoping to get permission to sail further east.
PNE, 2ème
France, Léonie and me are in Kirkenes, on board Le Manguier, with our seven team mates. Tomorrow, we will enter Russia, for a first administrative stop in Murmansk, essential before sailing through the North East passage...
To follow us:
To join us, it is still the same satellite phone number (Iridium), see contacts.
Changement de bord !
After 3 days stop in Tromsø, next to Le Manguier, Vagabond sailed to her mooring location at Liland, 200 km further south. This is where our yacht will wait patiently, while we are going north again on board Le Manguier. The 10 crew members are now all together on board the former tug boat, heading for Bering Strait! Our final destination is Japan, via the North-East passage, the same route we took in 2002 with Vagabond. You can follow this journey on the blog and the website of Le Manguier.
The fifth and last wintering of Vagabond is to relive every week on Sailing News, in 13 episodes.
