For more than 2 weeks the project Arctic Passage has been temporarily shelved, after I joined the PC Grain de Soleil set up to organize researches following the disappearance of this 10 meter sailboat off the Azores.  The team led by the 3 sailors relatives and friends is working days and nights .

To give an overview of the situation :

Three French sailors, Guillaume Moussette, Etienne Esteulle and Franck Cousin have been missing since Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 5:15 p.m. GMT, at which time they started their distress beacon (PLB ACR 350 Sarlink) about 500 nautical miles from the Azores archipelago (34 ° 48’10N 39 ° 14’30O). They had left Saint Martin in Martinique on April 6, 2013 … »

The difficult is what can be done immediately. The impossible is what takes a little longer.  (George Santayana)

Winter has left, what could be considered in Brittany as Spring, and putting the clocks forward have a positive aspect: ocean outings are longer as the Sun sets later.

That being said, at three months before the launch of the Arctic voyage, financial requirements are far from complete.  Over the past few weeks I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the alternatives allowed. I could modify my program or adapt it.  I felt that a combination of both would allow me to limit the compromise especially to remain docked, awaiting the disappearance … »

The story didn’t make it to Page 1, but it was important.  Gazprom, the largest natural gas extractor, announced that its liquid gas transporter, the Ob River, leased to a Russian consortium, had successfully completed a voyage between Europe and Asia, through the Northeast Passage.  It’s therefore the first delivery of liquid natural gas via this route, in the dead of winter.  This initiative gives perspective to the development of commercial maritime traffic, north of Siberia, all year long. Up till now, this traffic was limited during the summer.

With the advent of global warming, the Arctic becomes an alternate route to the traditional Suez and Panama canals.  … »

The “Grand Narak” was delivered right on time.  I didn’t lose time to head to the beach and set it afloat to tryout the improvements and changes carried out by the shop.
Nothing to complain about, it’s running smoothly on all aspects:  the raised ergonomic seat is as comfortable as my living room furniture.  The improvements to the rudder blade is simple and effective and to my expectations.  The “Select” paddle is more comfortable, improves performance and truly a pleasure to be on the water in spite of true Breton weather conditions.

The fact that I’m training in rather similar weather as I’ll be subjected to, next summer … »

The Great Narak is in the hands of Gérard, the Nautiraid Supervisor for the past 30 years and it’s under his craftsmanship that the Kayak is slowly changing into an “off-road vehicle” fully equipped to fight the ice. An ergonomic seat, an improved rudder control, a reinforced rudder, the installation of improved deck supports as well as the installation of clam cleats and other small changes were essential.  Now completed,   I’m still land bound but considering it’s for a good cause, I’ll suffer patiently !

The kayak should be heading back to Brittany within a week, allowing me to resume my frigid tryouts. I’m anxious to experiment with two … »