NFB - Arctic Mission - The Expedition

08 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The last day before the big departure! »

09 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Today, after 12 months of intense preparations, SEDNA is finally setting out for the Arctic, to cross the Northwest Passage from east to west. »

09 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're finally on our way. We've been sailing for two days and the atmosphere on board is excellent. Everyone is finding their sea legs, eating a lot (which is normal the first few days out!), getting some rest between watches... and grinning with pleasure. »

10 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Two wonderful days at sea. Our first day of shooting went well, as did the tests of the scientific equipment. A great start for our Northern adventure! »

11 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We continued up the Labrador coast and entered the Strait of Belle Isle. The weather was calm and we saw hundreds of marine mammals. We arrived at Red Bay, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site because of the remains of a 16th century Basque whaling station located there. We spent a fascinating day with Parks Canada archeologist Robert Grenier. »

12 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Since setting off from the Magdalen Islands, we've been extremely lucky. We're heading north after two great days of filming. Sea birds, whales, dolphins, lots of wildlife. What more could we want! »

12 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Mandatory iceberg watch at the bow of the ship.Catherine spotted the first iceberg of the trip on her night watch: a growler (a big piece of ice extending just above the surface of the water). That's promising! »

13 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Two magnificent days, with some great pictures and footage. We saw humpback whales, dolphins and icebergs, and had an interesting and informative visit with Parks Canada archeologist Robert Grenier. »

14 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We leave our anchorage at L'Anse aux Meadows and head for Hebron on the north coast of Labrador. The sea is lovely and welcoming; the crew is eager to discover another region. »

15 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We left Newfoundland two days ago and started sailing up the coast of Labrador toward Hebron, a fjord in northern Labrador that is one of the hidden treasures of this country. Being at sea gives the crew a bit of a breather, time to get into our shipboard routine. »

17 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We had a memorable day making our way through the ice. SEDNA's course was not particularly efficient but the incredible density of icebergs and sea ice, compounded by heavy fog, obliged us to proceed carefully. Our lookout, ice pilot and captain - and everyone else! - didn't take their eyes off the water all day. »

18 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
With violent 57-knot winds pushing the drift ice toward us last night, we decided to spend the night at anchor to be sure not to get stuck. It was a good thing we did; when the sun rose, we saw that the entrance to the cove was totally blocked. We spent a windy day exploring this magnificent cove, which by day's end lived up to its name: Calm Cove. After exploring the entrance... »

19 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Same position. Not a breath of wind. Musculus goes to reconnoitre. It doesn't look good! »

20 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Here we are, well and truly out of the heavy concentrations of ice along the Labrador coast. We are now navigating in calm, peaceful seas toward Hudson Strait. After consulting ice charts, we had to cancel our planned stops at Hebron and in the Nachvak Fjord, considered to be one of the most beautiful fjords... »

21 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
It's our third day of sailing non-stop. Our initial estimate of our progress was very optimistic. We'll finally get to Salluit, ice permitting, on Wednesday night. After three days at sea, your sense of time begins to go. »

22 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Symbolic crossing of the 60th parallel. We raise the sails. Wind: SW 16 knots; ship's speed: 10 knots; visibility: good. »

23 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A spectacular sight last night - a sperm whale majestically displaying its flukes, after a series of long blows. We all felt an emotional twinge when it returned to the depths. »

23 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We've encountered an ice edge. It's 2°C, the sea is calm, the sun is already up and we've posted a lookout in the bow again. »

24 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
July 24, - 62°12' N, 71°49' W.
The wind has dropped to 8 knots, Beaufort 3. Geoff gives us our first Inuktitut lesson for our visit to Salluit. »

25 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
After five days at sea, the whole crew was glad indeed to set foot on shore. We spent the day in Salluit, a village of 1,100 souls where we were lucky enough to attend the Eastern Arctic Music Festival that brings together artists from a number of Nunavik communities. We made incredible discoveries with some unique encounters. »

25 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We left Salluit during the night to head for Coats Island, our next rendezvous. En route we paused in the Digges Islands area to film the colonies of thick-billed murres on the rocky cliffs. »

26 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Bruno, our chief engineer, is having a birthday! We weigh anchor to resume our course to Coats Island, where we are going to join up with Caroline Underwood's film crew who are trying to get shots of the walrus and polar bears. »

27 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We have reached Coats Island for our rendezvous with Caroline Underwood's film crew. We are looking for the perfect sequence - a polar bear attacking walrus. We send out two crews, one to Coats Island and the other to Walrus Island, doubling our chances of capturing the coveted images. The result: wonderful surface and underwater shots of the polar bear. It's in the can! »

27 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are in walrus and polar bear country. The few days we spend here are important for getting meaningful images. We are always looking for the best places to observe and film these majestic Arctic animals, but the fog is slowing us down. »

28 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Still anchored at Walrus Island, we are waiting for visibility to do some filming. The film crew is doing repairs on the underwater camera. »

29 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A great day of filming on Coats Island in northwest Hudson Bay, where the walrus were congregating. On an eastern beach, the remains of a young polar bear that died last year. More to the west, another polar bear carcass: a huge adult male found by Caroline Underwood's crew. »

29 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Anchored off Bencas Island. Musculus goes off scouting for walrus and polar bear. Musculus is back with no luck. We continue toward Coats Island and our rendezvous with Caroline Underwood and her crew. »

30 July 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We leave the anchorage and sail toward Nottingham Island. We change course for Salisbury Island because of the 20-knot SE wind forecast for Wednesday. Wind from that direction would have caused us problems with getting Musculus in the water. »

31 July 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
On leaving Salisbury Island, SEDNA ran into its first storm in Hudson Strait. 30-knot south-easterly winds and the tidal current produced waves nearly four metres high. The crew is doing well, however, and SEDNA is an impressive sight riding the waves. »

01 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
For the past day we have been weathering SEDNA's worst storm. Someone must have been whistling on board! Winds at 30 knots in Hudson Strait run into an impressive tidal current and throw up walls over 5 metres high. SEDNA is turned into a roller-coaster. The crew is holding fast, but activities are cut to the bone. »

03 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We took shelter in the inlet leading to Kangiqsujuaq, a village of nearly 480 people. This shelter gave us a good rest in spite of a small plumbing problem. The after hold containing 2 tonnes of food reserves was partially flooded. We spent Saturday emptying, drying and cleaning the boxes of food stowed there, including several thousand chocolate bars... minus a few!! We celebrated our spring cleaning with an excellent spaghetti dinner made by Jean, a box of red wine and, for some, a good Cuban cigar and some port! Thanks Sylvain! »

04 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Calm weather, Beaufort 0, some fog, 2.1ºC. We are still lying at anchor. We spot caribou swimming in the bay: the film crew gets ready and Mario puts on his wet suit to try for pictures of paddling hooves. »

04 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
The little village of Kangiqsujuaq extended us a warm welcome over the past two days. We needed that stay on dry land after weathering our first storm at sea. »

05 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A calm day aboard SEDNA. We are heading towards Resolution Island and will then sail up the east coast of Baffin Island. Everything seems quiet, a few stately icebergs are visible... and then suddenly we're in fog. »

06 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are sailing at a good clip toward Clyde River in Davis Strait. The sea is calm, as is the atmosphere on board. The only excitement was a fire/abandon-ship drill instigated by our captain, who has to be sure his crew is alert! »

07 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A quiet day on board SEDNA. I'm wondering what to talk to you about! Well, here we are sailing peacefully up the coast of Baffin Island and thinking about tomorrow. But will this "tomorrow" be the one we planned? I'm starting to have my first doubts about the fabled Northwest Passage. Will we be able to cross it? »

08 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A great day for SEDNA's crew: we have just passed the parallel that marks the Arctic Circle - 66°33' N. Lots of action this morning: three sperm whales and about thirty pilot whales. Boy! It's been a long time since we've had such excitement. »

09 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
After six days sailing due north, we finally change course for Clyde River. The ice charts are good: we should be able to get in with no problems. A brief mandatory pause before anchoring in Patricia Bay: a mother polar bear with her cub, then a pierced iceberg even more beautiful than last week's. The scene is imposing with the mountains of Baffin Island, and we are very glad to see terra firma! »

10 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We make a detour to get close to an iceberg that looks even more like Percé Rock than the one we saw last week! The wind has dropped and it is 6°C. »

11 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Saturday evening: we have dropped anchor in the hamlet of Clyde River. The deep bay protects SEDNA from the northeast winds. The sky is dark and lowering. With the wind gusting to 35 knots, we are very glad to be in our sheltered location. »

12 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Germain Tremblay, our ice pilot, and Guy Gaudin, our captain, have left SEDNA. Thanks, guys, for your excellent work, dedication and great company over these past five weeks. And we have three new residents on board! »

13 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A day that began badly but came to a fantastic end! After a slow, uncertain departure though the ice that turned up in Patricia Bay this morning, we had a polar bear festival today! One, then two others, then three more, and then yet another!! »

14 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Two excellent days of sea and discovery. Polar bears, seals, bowhead whales and an encounter with Ben Wheeler's research team studying the bowheads in Isabella Bay. Very full days for everyone. »

15 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A relatively calm day on SEDNA, except for the rising waves. We are sailing on a starboard broad reach and the ship is rolling from side to side as it rides waves our captain says are as high as 5 to 6 metres. »

16 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We have passed the most northerly point on our route - Devon Island. There, we met up with the Students on Ice icebreaker from which our second unit film crew will be taking pictures of Ellesmere Island and Greenland. »

17 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We arrive on time for our rendezvous with the Russian icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov at Dundas Harbour on vast, utterly uninhabited Devon Island. We receive a visit from its crew and then go to view their floating hotel, which is both massive and stylish. »

18 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Pond Inlet and its breathtaking scenery. For the crew, this stop is the last contact with civilization before our daring attempt at the long, solitary sail through the legendary Northwest Passage. The crew are ready and our strategy is becoming clear. The time has come. »

19 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We anchor off Bylot Island, at the foot of Sirmilik Glacier, across from the village of Pond Inlet. We put Musculus into the water and go off to explore the shore and do some filming. »

20 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Tomorrow we arrive at Beechey Island, where we will spend two or three days waiting for an opening in the Northwest Passage. This is a crucial step in our expedition and we feel our adrenalin rising. »

22 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
An exciting day. Good discussion about the Northwest Passage and the possibility that we might not make it. Fascinating discussion too about Franklin's expeditions and the drama that was played out here some 156 years ago. »

23 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
On Beechey Island we walked in the footsteps of Franklin, who chose this site in 1846 to winter with his two vessels, the Erebus and the Terror. »

23 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
After two days immersed in the story of the Franklin expedition on Beechey Island, we are again on our way to the crux of our own expedition: the Northwest Passage. Heading for Bellot Strait. »

26 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
There is a feeling of anxiety on board: will we be able to make it through the Passage? Bellot Strait is blocked by ice, and we will have to wait for a few days here at Fort Ross, the entrance to the Passage. While waiting, we'll try to shoot some more pictures. »

27 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We haven't moved in 48 hours; we're waiting for an opening in the ice that was blown into Bellot Strait by a westerly wind. The CANICE aircraft flew over at the end of the day and confirmed that the strait is still blocked solid. We'll see what happens tomorrow. »

28 August 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Waiting and worrying on SEDNA IV. We still haven't moved. We are putting in time and whistling for the wind (an old superstition). The weather is starting to change; the cold is a little more biting, making us realize we have no time to lose. »

29 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We have now spent four days waiting at Fort Ross, the entrance to Bellot Strait. A southwest wind was still blowing this morning but, luckily, eased off around midday. It was another day of waiting and filming, ending with a special treat: a sugaring-off supper with maple taffy on the sea ice. A unique experience! »

30 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We made it! We finally got through Bellot Strait. Now we're heading south through the Franklin Strait for the next stage of the expedition. It was great to see so many animals over the past few days at Fort Ross, but now we're glad to move on. Passing through the strait was an emotional moment: we were all there behind Stéphane, our captain, encouraging him and helping keep an eye out. The whole crew did a great job. »

31 August 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Sixth day at Fort Ross. »

01 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Seventh and last day at Fort Ross, yahoo! »

01 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
September is off to a great start. SEDNA is speeding westward through Bellot Strait: we're finally crossing the Passage. This is a moment of intense emotion for the entire crew, a moment that will forever be engraved on our memories. No longer are we mentally juggling with the possibility of turning round and heading home; we're on our way and there's no going back. We're Vancouver-bound! »

02 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Radio contact with a vessel named Nuages - two French women, a mother and daughter, are crossing the Northwest Passage in the opposite direction from us. We wish each other good luck and happy sailing. »

03 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We anchor across from the village of Gjoa Haven and turn our watches back two hours to local time. »

04 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We visited the small hamlet of Gjoa Haven, a site made famous by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first person to make it through the legendary Northwest Passage. »

05 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are anchored off Kirkwall Island, to the south of King William Island. Musculus goes off with Robert Grenier and the film crew to do some scouting on Umiak Island. They discovered a human skull and a tiny Inuit artifact made out of carved bone. Everything was left where it was found, as agreed with Robert. »

06 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We've been sailing for two days toward Cambridge Bay, where we will film the wreck of Roald Amundsen's ship, the Maud. The people of the hamlet give us a warm welcome and our diving team looks for wrecks in the bay. »

07 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Sailing towards Cambridge Bay »

08 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
First dive near Raold Amundsen's ship, the Maud. »

08 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Here we are in Cambridge Bay, at the end of a fascinating chapter in our Arctic adventure. When our divers plunged into the cold Arctic waters to check out the wreck of the Maud, Roald Amundsen's second ship, I knew we were wrapping up this segment of our voyage following the traces of the great explorers of the past. »

09 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Last and very full day at Cambridge Bay. We managed to film muskox, robust herbivores well adapted to the Arctic climate. In the village, the Internet team spent the afternoon at the Cultural Centre meeting dancers and village elders. It was a memorable day. »

10 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We set off from Cambridge Bay for Tuktoyaktuk, a 100-hour sail. A magnificent day, the hottest so far - 12°C. Arctic dog days? With all sails set, we did over 126 nautical miles in the day. »

11 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
The distances we have to travel between stops are always a bit long . . . We will be arriving in Tuktoyaktuk Saturday morning. In the meantime, we are taking advantage of these days en route to recharge our batteries, catch up on some sleep much-needed sleep. We'll be seeing the northern lights now that the night is back. »

12 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
An exceptional day of sailing in the Beaufort Sea. After a visit from a very curious polar bear, we found the carcass it had been feeding on . . . the blood was a shocking splash of colour on the ice. Then in the afternoon, we went through our man overboard drill--the crew keeps a sharp lookout! »

13 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
So far, sailing through the Beaufort Sea has been a breeze. We've enjoyed warm weather, the sight of several whales, and a visit to the impressive, inspiring Smoking Hills. And we picked up some great shots in this mythical environment. »

14 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're still sailing in the Beaufort Sea, heading for Tuktoyaktuk. »

15 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We spend the day in Tuktoyaktuk. »

15 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We've arrived in Tuktoyaktuk, on the Beaufort Sea. And it's September 15. Can you believe it - already the middle of September! Since the beginning of our voyage, we've spoken of September 15 as a key date. »

16 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
It's customs day today, in preparation for our trip to the U.S.--a day off for most crew members. »

17 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A quiet day on board SEDNA IV. We were supposed to leave for the Beaufort Sea to meet up with the scientific icebreakers but the rendezvous has been postponed to September 19. We will thus have to spend another two days in Tuk. »

18 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Our last day in Tuk. We spent the afternoon at the school and then went back to visit Laura, a village elder who still lives in her tent, in front of her house. It was a day full of delightful encounters. »

19 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A busy day for our scientists: rendezvous with the Japanese scientific vessel, the Mirai. The film crew went aboard to meet up with Eddy Carmack, an oceanographer who is studying climate change in the Beaufort Sea, and then stayed for supper! »

20 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We drop anchor opposite the village of Tuk, where we will finally pick up the radar part that has been late in arriving. »

21 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Today is the equinox--summer is over--but what summer?? »

22 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We lower the sails to conduct a scientific survey. The wind has risen to 25 knots and is now blowing from the east. »

22 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Last day in Canada and first day of fall at Herschel Island. After leaving the Mirai, en route to Point Barrow, we stopped at this small island that is feeling the effects of permafrost thaw. »

23 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A blustery day on the Beaufort Sea! The wind is over 75 km/h, and SEDNA is bobbing up and down in the waves, which considerably slows down human activity on board. It's too bad. I was hoping to see some bowhead whales-the fabled waters off Point Barrow are on the migration route for the largest population of bowhead whales in the Artic (over 10 000 of them). But with the wind kicking up so much spray, it's impossible to see the whales' spouts against the horizon. »

24 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We've arrived in Point Barrow, the northernmost town in the United States. They've really rolled out the red carpet for us--we've already met several of the locals. Once we're back on board SEDNA, it's party time, because Point Barrow marks the finish line for our successful crossing of the Northwest Passage. »

25 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
VICTORY!!! We've made it through the Northwest Passage! Safely anchored off Barrow, we raised a glass of champagne to our success. Technically, we are still a few hundred miles from the Pacific, but the ice is no longer a threat and our route is wide open before us. »

26 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A quiet day aboard SEDNA off the town of Barrow. We were waiting for our new passenger, Nicolas Brault, an NFB animator who will be with us for a month. He was missing this morning, and finally arrived this evening. What a trip! »

27 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We're so entranced with Barrow that we still haven't managed to hoist anchor. The Inupiat of this little northern Alaskan town are very kind and welcoming. Their lifestyle is a nice blend of tradition and modernity. So we've decided to stay a few more days to see the results of their bowhead whale hunt, which began a week ago. »

27 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're still at Barrow, because we've got some good opportunities here to film bowhead whales, as well some polar bears who are lingering around Point Barrow outside town to feed on the carcasses of whales caught in the spring hunt. The seas are heavy at times, so it's not always easy for us to go ashore. We pass the time with games and music, which are welcome distractions. »

28 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The sky is still overcast - not a single ray of sunshine. The wind is from the east at 20-25 knots, with seas heavy enough to make SEDNA roll a bit. Temperature is 1.5°C. »

29 September 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Sky overcast, wind still from the east at 10-15 knots, temperature 0.5°C. »

30 September 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A day to celebrate for the Inupiat of Barrow, Alaska: the wind finally died down, and the hunters were able to head out to sea. »

01 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A quiet day's sailing for SEDNA. The sea is flat as a lake, which is quite unusual for this area. Everybody is busying themselves with work or leisure activities. »

02 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Here we are less than 50 nautical miles from the border with Russia. It feels kind of strange. Still far from home and still just as excited about our adventures, as the miles build up. By the end of this week, we'll have come 8000 nautical miles. »

03 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A memorable day in Shishmaref, where the grown-ups showed us extraordinary kindness and the children's smiles warmed our hearts. »

04 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are now heading south. After reaching the westernmost point of our itinerary, we are sailing towards warmer water and much milder conditions than usual for this time of year. »

05 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
64° 35' N, 166° 39' W. Stop to take plankton sample. »

06 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
What a strange sensation! A full day between two countries, so close together, yet so different from one another. Just one step separating the present from the future. »

06 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Smooth sailing all day. »

07 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Bering held some surprises in store. Winds are gusting to 40 knots and the sea is surging and rolling, with waves in all directions. Aeolus has been having fun here for a few days, which explains the waves up to 6 m high. »

08 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A stormy day of sailing aboard SEDNA, still in the Bering Sea, heading for the Aleutians. The wind is dying down and shifting to the southeast. Oh-oh! Looks like we're in for a rodeo up ahead. When we get up tomorrow, we'll be surrounded by mountains. »

09 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Here we are safely anchored in the large American fishing port of Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians, not far from Russia. For the last few days, boats have been arriving from all over to take part in one of the world's biggest fisheries: Alaska crab. »

10 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A day of exploration and discovery in Dutch Harbor, where preparations for the Alaska crab fishery are in full swing. Had a great time talking to crab fishermen and taking wonderful shots of this lively town. »

11 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We're still in Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians. The atmosphere in the port is just extraordinary! »

11 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're still in Dutch Harbor. The weather and our enthusiasm for crab fishing are keeping us here at the dock. »

12 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Extreme rain and wind, the ideal weather to test the supposedly 100% waterproof gear... »

13 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The weather and our enthusiasm for crab fishing are keeping us here at the dock. We've got rainy West Coast weather, but we are enjoying some sunny breaks and they make the fishermen's job much easier. »

14 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We've left the fishing port of Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians--by our side, our friends on the Alaska crabber Cornelia Marie, off for another short, exciting fishing season. It was a very emotional moment. We sounded our sirens as we waved goodbye for the last time. »

15 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Our first day of sailing in the Pacific and it is beautiful: contrary to our expectations, the ocean is living up to its name. The thermometer got up to 10°C, the sun is out, and so are the whales . . . »

16 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
For two days and nights, SEDNA has been bobbing like a cork on the long swells of the Pacific. The nights have been rather uncomfortable and we're short of sleep. There's only been a little wind off and on, but it's easy to imagine this part of the world being rocked by fierce winds. »

17 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The Gulf of Alaska has not belied the fishermen's stories: force 9 on the Beaufort scale, a strong gale with gusts of over 50 knots. We've had to take shelter in Puale Bay, north of Kodiak Island. Both SEDNA and crew are holding up well. »

19 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We spend the day sailing toward Homer. »

20 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Here we are in Homer, a charming little Alaskan town and the first town that we have visited on our entire trip that is connected into the North American highway network. I have to tell you a secret: over the last few days, the fall weather at sea has given me a bit of a scare. »

20 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We arrive at the village of Homer, on the Kenai Peninsula, in south central Alaska. »

21 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Homer is certainly an attractive little Alaskan tourist town. But SEDNA will have to stay here longer than planned before heading out to explore the Alaskan fjords and their abundant wildlife. The forecast calls for another nasty storm on the Gulf of Alaska, with winds of over 50 knots (90 km/h). »

22 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A quiet day aboard SEDNA. The rain is coming down in buckets. The weather is keeping us in Homer another day, so we'll enjoy all the conveniences of a small town for another 24 hours. »

24 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're still anchored at Homer, Alaska, waiting for a weather window, something that's rare this time of year. Tonight's forecast again calls for winds exceeding 40 knots on the open waters beyond the harbour where we've taken shelter. »

25 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're still at anchor off the fuel dock at Homer, Alaska. The forecast calls for 50-knot winds today, so we'll stay at anchor for another day to avoid the heavy seas. »

26 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We hoist anchor and leave Homer, headed for Prince William Sound. »

27 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Finally, a bit of good weather. We have taken advantage of a high-pressure ridge to slip through between two low-pressure areas. Now Alaska lies before us in all its splendour, with its blazing light and breathtaking mountains. »

27 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
After a 6-day wait in Homer, we have finally raised anchor and headed for Prince William Sound, known for its humpback and killer whales. The sound will also provide good shelter against the next bout of high winds, which is due soon. »

28 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Early this morning, the winds came down from the mountaintops and made SEDNA dance at her anchor. As a precaution, we've moved to another bay that is protected from the north-easterly winds. We're in the heart of the country that was buried under the 42 million litres of crude oil spilled by the tanker Exxon Valdez 14 years ago. »

29 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Today was very emotional. SEDNA set new records when the winds reached 75 knots and we heeled over more than 25°--and that was with all the sails down! Well, the fishermen had warned us that we had to be crazy to be venturing into Prince William Sound in October. »

30 October 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We have just arrived in Valdez, Alaska, a town tragically famous for the oil spill that occurred here in 1989. Nothing remarkable to see, except the major traffic of supertankers that continue to carry their black gold down to the lower 48 states. In the narrow channel leading to Valdez, we watch all these sea monsters go by, each escorted by two tug boats, and we remember March 1989. »

31 October 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Our unscheduled stop in Valdez did not last long. Here we are, exiting the Prince William Sound and back once again in the Gulf of Alaska. Our desalinator is kaput! We have filled up our fresh-water tanks, but we're going to have to ration our fresh water for the next 4 days of sailing. »

01 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We've done it ! We've reached Glacier Bay, a dreamlike setting where dozens of glaciers empty into the sea. But even more important, we've reached the entrance to the Inside Passage. »

01 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Friday, November 1 - Today is our cook Sylvie's birthday! »

02 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The wind's from the ESE at 15 knots, and the sea is calmer, so we're picking up speed. We've travelled 6.8 miles in the past hour. Our heading is 113°. »

03 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We left Valdez, heading for the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. The sea was rough our first day out, but amazingly calm the second day. Now we are right in the middle of Glacier Bay National Park, where each glacier is more impressive than the one before. A great birthday present for Sylvie! »

04 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A quiet day in Glacier Bay. The grey clouds were skimming the treetops, so low that we couldn't see the spectacular scenery of this natural jewel that we have heard so much about. We met with the representatives of the national park and discussed the history of Alaska's glaciers with them. »

05 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are sailing through the Chatham Strait, heading for Angoon to pick up water. The wind is from the east at 15/20 knots, our speed is 5.7 knots against a strong current. »

06 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
A day devoted to the crew. I had promised to show them one of the best kept secrets in Alaska: picturesque Baranof Bay, with its spectacular waterfall and its outdoor baths fed by natural sulphur springs. »

07 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're at the Kake anchorage, where we spent the night. It's a gorgeous day. The wind's from the south at 5-10 knots, the sky is partly clear, and the thermometer reads 5°C. We hoist anchor and make sail for Petersburg, with the promise of seeing many whales along our way. »

08 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A beautiful sunny day, and a great day of filming the Leconte glacier. Memorable for everyone. Visited the towns of Petersburg and Ketchikan, our last stop in Alaska. Tomorrow we'll be back in Canada. »

09 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A quiet morning aboard SEDNA, then shopping, having new friends aboard for a visit, running errands and doing various odd jobs. »

10 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Tied up at the Ketchikan wharf. The customs officers are expecting us for the formalities. »

10 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We visited the Leconte glacier, one of Alaska's hidden jewels, at the head of a long inlet near the village of Petersburg. A magnificent day; the blazing sun caressed the radiant faces of the crew on deck. The crew went wild, as if suddenly realizing that we were down to the last few days of shooting. »

11 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Early this morning, SEDNA was sailing off the city of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. As in all the other ports, we had announced our arrival and requested a berth at the dock for the usual formalities (customs and immigration). But the harbourmaster wouldn't grant us permission. He was probably not too happy to be woken up on this holiday, and we had to leave again without ever setting foot on dry land. »

12 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A day of waiting in the rain, as a storm to the south blocks our way to Vancouver Island. This morning, while winds were blowing at over 40 knots, our first school called us for Live from the Sea. The winning classes get to ask us questions live by satellite telephone. Unforgettable. We can't wait for the other classes to call. »

13 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
Yesterday the wind blew all day long, forcing SEDNA to heave to, so we just stayed put. A little farther west, around the Queen Charlotte Islands, the winds got up to over 65 knots (120 km/h)--hurricane force. »

14 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We are sailing east of Vancouver Island towards Patricia Bay and the dock of the Institute of Ocean Sciences, where Eddy Carmack, our scientific advisor, is waiting for us. There's an easterly wind today blowing at 5 knots. It looks like a calm day ahead, which is good, as we've got a lot of cleaning up to do! »

15 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
We're finally back in our own country! Last Friday, SEDNA tied up at the wharf of the Institute of Ocean Sciences, on Vancouver Island, completing its extraordinary voyage through the Northwest Passage. »

15 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
We're tied up at the wharf of the Institute of Ocean Sciences, in Patricia Bay. »

16 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
A solid day of work, making preparations for the last few days of filming, and for the official arrival and the press conference. »

17 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Quiet day on board! Big week coming up... »

18 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
It's a rainy day in British Columbia. We're taking advantage of this well-earned day of rest to make plans for tomorrow, when we'll be meeting with the local media and giving them an overview of the expedition. Planning this first retrospective makes us realize how soon our adventure will be over! »

19 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Media day for the crew. Major clean-up time on board; visitors are coming this afternoon. The local media will be here at noon, along with scientists from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, for a special tour of the boat. »

19 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
For two days we've been meeting the press and telling the local people about our incredible trip, which will soon be all over. We're planning our next stop, in Vancouver, for this weekend. »

21 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Everything's calm at Patricia Bay, where we are still moored. Weather's mild -- not a ripple on the water and not the faintest breeze. The sky is overcast, it's drizzling, and the temperature is 10°C. »

22 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Last few miles aboard SEDNA for the Arctic Mission. Our crossing to Vancouver was sunny and very pleasant. The shock of being back in civilization was softened somewhat by the friendliness of our Western compatriots. »

23 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
Big clean-up, errands and preparations for the open house starting at 14:00. The whole crew is in uniform -- company's coming! »

24 November 2002 | Sylvain Brault, skipper
The gangway is open to the public once more. There's a good crowd this sunny Sunday. What a pleasure it is talking to all these people. Thank you. »

24 November 2002 | Jean Lemire, Mission leader
The autumn sun helped brighten up an unforgettable weekend in the Port of Vancouver, where SEDNA was moored long enough to greet local journalists and photographers. There were lots of them (from TV, radio, newspapers) and with our successful arrival in Victoria, we can say that media coverage in the West has been beyond our hopes. »

Arctic Mission is produced by Jean Lemire for Glacialis,
Éric Michel for the NFB and Stéphane Millière for Gédéon Programmes.