Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Through the North West Passage with Fiona

by Log Fiona/Sail-World Cruising on 14 Dec 2009
Fiona tethered to iceberg.JPG SW
Among the 23 vessels that transited the North West Passage this year were two cruise ships, several power boats, some rowers, ice catamarans, and about seven hardy sailing boats.

Among the sailors was veteran long range cruising sailor Eric Forsyth, on his yacht Fiona, a Westerly 42, who completed the journey from East to West.

Here we bring you story highlights and photos of the challenging voyage.


Eric logged 8,873 nautical miles in 124 days departing Long Island on June 15 and arriving San Francisco on October 17. Eric and his crew averaged 112 miles per sailing day. Eric, at 77, will complete a circumnavigation of North America in May of 2010.

At one point in the journey they were trapped in ice, and, according to the Canadian Coast Guard 'were thinking about leaving the boat.'

Here is the incident as related by Eric:

' We pushed on for nearly twelve hours before we had to admit we were stuck and we tied ourselves to an iceberg just before midnight, although the light from a watery sun illuminated the fog and the gloomy scene around us.

I was awakened by a crash and the sudden tilting of my bunk. We all rushed on deck; a berg had collided with our own icy haven, it had rotated and the underwater mass had lifted Fiona's bow clear of the surface. With the stern still in deep water I started the engine, put the transmission in reverse and we slid back into the sea as though we were on ways.

We found another floe to attach ourselves to on the lee side using the dinghy anchor; one piece of equipment I had omitted to bring was a four-pronged grapnel. The fog started to lift and soon the shore of the Boothia Peninsula was visible just less than half a mile to the east. It looked rocky and very bleak.

A check of our position on the GPS showed that we were moving north with ice-field. We were still in a clear pool of water but it was shrinking, by lunchtime clear water had virtually disappeared and we were surrounded by ice, some of which was obviously 'old' ice with thick pieces tilted up on edge.

After lunch I checked our progress north in the field, we were heading back towards the Tasmanias at about 7 nautical miles a day. The chart showed a promontory and bay on the coast just before the islands, I was concerned the ice may push us into them.

I decided to call the Canadian coast Guard to advise them of our position and see if there was an ice breaker in the vicinity. I told them we were not in immediate danger and they advised getting the inflatable ready so that we could reach the shore of the Boothia Peninsula if Fiona was crushed and sank.'

You can read the entire log of the Fiona's passage by clicking http://www.yachtfiona.com/northwestpassage2009/newsletter1.html!HERE.

Eric has long been recognised as an adventurous cruising sailor, embarking on challenging journeys and displaying great seamanship. In January, 2001, he was awarded the prestigious Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America. The citation reads:

'The Blue Water Medal for 2000 is awarded to Eric B. Forsyth for a remarkable voyage in his 42 ft sloop to Antarctica from his

home port at Patchogue, Long Island via the Panama Canal; Galapagos; Easter Island, Puerto Montt, Chile, and after Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsular to South Georgia Island; Tristan da Cunha; South Africa, and returning home by way of St. Helena, Barbados, St. Martin and Bermuda. This was a 21,784 mile voyage, completed in ten months with a crew that varied between one and two young men. Furthermore, Forsyth wrote copious descriptions of his entire cruise including a special guide to the Patagonian passages, including mileage of each segment, fuel consumption, and all the features of the land and nature encountered.'

Then, in November 2007, Eric was awarded the Seven Seas Award by the Seven Seas Cruising Association. The citation reads, 'Signifying the highest international recognition of a cruising sailor whose experience on the sea demonstrates a deep commitment to good seamanship, and an understanding of his ship and the environment.'

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterSelden 2020 - FOOTERNavico AUS Zeus3S FOOTER

Related Articles

SailingFast to provide unrivalled event support
During the WASZP Games at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy SailingFast UK is set to land in Weymouth on the 8th of July and will be on-site until the 26th of July to provide the GOLD STANDARD in event support.
Posted today at 7:00 am
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Opening Ceremony
More than 500 sailors paraded through the Riva del Garda's beautiful streets The 2025 29er European Championship officially opened today in stunning Riva del Garda, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva. More than 500 sailors paraded through the city's beautiful streets in a colorful, high-energy opening ceremony.
Posted on 2 Jul
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Stay, play and save at the 2025 Sydney Boat Show
The ultimate indoor boating experience will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park The ultimate indoor boating experience, Sydney Boat Show, will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 14 to 17 August for the first time.
Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves.
Posted on 2 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros overall
The Meltemi winds once again set the stage for the final day As the riders gathered at the event site of the 2025 FPT Paros for one last time and the Meltemi winds once again began blowing strong, the stage for the final day of the event was set.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line.
Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica.
Posted on 2 Jul