Guest Blog by Clinton

M/V BAGAN Log Entry: 0200 hours

August 31, 2009
69 27’ North Latitude
135 00’ West Longitude
Tuktoyaktuk Harbor, Canadian High Arctic.

Weather: 20-25 knot North winds. The air temperature is 33 F and heavy snow showers are coming off the polar ice cap 60 miles north of our present position.

Forecast: More of the same. Heavy north to northeast winds and snow through tomorrow evening. Seas 6 to 8 feet.

We are happy to be hiding in the well-protected harbor at “Tuk”. Bagan made two hundred miles today after a 2200 departure from a snug anchorage at Summer’s Harbor. A not so interesting gray 24 hours started out with a sloppy swell slamming into the bow, and ended with 4 to 6 foot following seas and a 25-knot tailwind that stole the canvas cover to the grill. Summer is definitely over and we have been reminded that there are only two seasons here: August…  and winter.

Today’s bright side came as we left the Amundsen Gulf and entered the Beaufort Sea, thus completing our transit of the Northwest Passage. Our main goal accomplished, both owner and crew are beaming and feeling that satisfaction of achievement that only comes from succeeding after years of planning, preparation, blood, sweat, and tears. Looking back on the Passage, and what it took to get here, it was completely worth it. The sights and wildlife we have experienced will last us a lifetime and there is still so much to go We have become a tight crew, on a very well prepared boat, feeling like we can take on the world. Our twelve-mile midnight approach to this harbor down a narrow 13-foot deep unlit channel in total darkness during a snowstorm and heavy following sea attests to this. Piece of well planned and studied cake.

Next for Bagan and her crew is the 500 nautical mile run to Barrow, Alaska. It will be good to be back in the USA for while, and we are looking forward to making the turn around the northernmost point in the states and heading south for a while. This, of course, means a rendezvous with the Bering Sea and the dirty weather for which it is famous. Our confident vessel and crew are sure to be tested. Stay tuned.

Capt. Clinton M. Bolton