Jarlath Cunnane’s book ‘Northabout’ is a must for anyone dreaming of ice navigation or who is fascinated by the history of the extraordinary people who have voyaged to the high Arctic.
In 2018, Great Seamanship featured ‘So Far, so Good’, the autobiography of the Irish sailor, Paddy Barry. In it, Paddy led us quickly through a journey around the roof of the world. This outstanding voyage was skippered by Jarlath Cunnane, who owned Northabout, the aluminium yacht he built with a group of friends and crew. Jarlath’s book tells the story in much greater detail.
They start with the North West Passage then, with true Irish inspiration, decide that returning from the Bering Strait via the Pacific and the Caribbean would be too ordinary. Instead, after a trip down the Pacific Canadian shore, these redoubtable adventurers steer north once more to press on through the North East Passage and home via Norway.
For this extract I chose a rescue job the Irishmen undertook in one of the world’s bleakest spots. It shows courage, resourcefulness, camaraderie and, above all, great seamanship.
Northabout was not the only yacht attempting the North East Passage in 2004. The Dutchman Henk de Velde had started from the Bering Strait in 2003 in Campina and got as far as Tiksi. Because of reports of heavy ice ahead he decided to overwinter in Siberia’s Tiksi harbour and was completing his last-minute preparations when we sailed in.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EXTRAORDINARY BOATS: NIGEL SHARP ON THE YACHTING WORLD DIAMOND
The Yachting World Diamond is a Jack Holt design which continues to attract devotees who sail them on some extraordinary adventures - in Australia, 60 years after its conception
5 EXPERT TIPS: CHRIS BROOKS ON SAILING OFFSHORE IN BIG CONDITIONS
Sailing in the middle of the world's oceans gave Chris Brooks plenty of experience handling big weather conditions. He shares his knowledge here with Andy Rice.
NAVIGATION BRIEFING
Inaugurated in 2009, the RORC Caribbean 600 is a relatively recent addition to the calendar of 600-mile offshore yacht races, adding to the list of established bluewater classics like the Rolex Fastnet and Sydney Hobart races.
SPECIAL REPORT: MARK CHISNELL ON PROBLEM SOLVING AT SEA
On his new book, Knowledge 2.0, author Mark Chisnell - who has been published on a wide range of topics and is also a former professional sailor, navigator, and most recently a rules advisor for the British America's Cup challenge INEOS Britannia - offers a 'user's guide to knowledge'.
NIKKI HENDERSON
NO MATTER HOW TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED OUR SPORT GETS, IT'S THE HUMANS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
HURTLING AROUND THE OCEANS ALONE IN GARGANTUAN MULTIHULLS CAPABLE OF HUGE SPEEDS AND UNTHINKABLE CAPSIZES - REQUIRES A MENTAL LEAP
Ainslie steps down as SailGP driver
Sir Ben Ainslie, who is both CEO, skipper and co-helmsman of the British America's Cup team INEOS Britannia, and CEO and skipper of the SailGP entry.
Around the world in company
January 2024 saw two fleets of cruisers set off on a sociable circumnavigation, with the 13th edition of the World ARC departing Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, meanwhile the Oyster World Rally fleet also began their world tour from Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua.
Ocean Globe Race skipper quits after false declaration
The third leg of the Ocean Globe Race, the Whitbread-era-style around the world race, is underway from Auckland, New Zealand to Punta del Este, Uruguay on a classic Southern Ocean leg. However, the skipper of race leaders Translated 9, the Swan 65 which won both Legs 1 and 2, has stepped down after breaching the race rules regarding sail repairs and making a false declaration.
Cruisers awarded
Kirsten Neuschäfer, the winner of the Golden Globe Race and the first woman ever to win a solo nonstop around the world ocean race, is among the skippers honoured in the Cruising Club of America's 2023 awards.