Crossing the Northwest Passage

The Baloum Gwen a month into its voyage

A sailing boat with a mostly French crew is a month into its attempt to make a west to east crossing in the icy waters of the Northwest Passage.

The same boat - the Baloum Gwen - made the east to west crossing last year and they are currently moored off the coats of Barrow, in Alaska, considered the most northerly town of the U.S.

The crew says the risks for a sailboat to make the crossing in such cold waters remain 'considerable' and they will encounter hostile drifting ice, currents, rough seas, fog, frozen winds, cold temperatures, and potentially mechanical breakdowns. In addition, in that cold climate, the Baloum Gwen's crew will face problems involving lack of concentration, fatigue and psychological reactions to the midnight sun.

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