A Mayo skipper and his six crew are on their way to Siberia to complete their attempted westward circumnavigation of the North Pole.
The seven-strong crew, led by Mayoman Jarlath Cunnane and Dublin-based but Cork-born engineer Paddy Barry, travelled to Russia at the weekend to secure final approval for the second leg of the 4,000-mile voyage through the North-East passage. Most of the group undertook the first successful Irish traverse of the North-West passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 2001.
The expedition's 14-metre aluminium yacht, Northabout, has been in storage in the port of Khatanga since the crew were forced to cut short the initial attempt last year.
The group set off from the Russian port of Anadyr in early August 2004, and made good passage until heavy polar pack ice blocked all progress at mainland Russia's most northerly point, Cape Chelyuskin.
When it became apparent that the pack ice wasn't going to break up, and the seas began to freeze around the boat, the Irish crew had to retreat south for safety.
On their way south, they risked their own safety in deteriorating weather conditions to take a Dutch yacht in tow that had damaged its rudders. Skipper Cunnane and Paddy Barry received a Royal Cruising Club award in London earlier this year for the rescue.
Michael Brogan, crew doctor and musician, said the meteorological forecasts indicated this could be a good ice year. The "ice window" tends to be brief and to close by late September. "Once we get around Cape Chelyuskin we will be very happy," he told The Irish Times.
The crew has ordered its food supplies for the voyage, including a reindeer, and hopes to receive permission for essential "polar bear protection".
The group will be accompanied by an ice pilot who will monitor progress on behalf of the Russian authorities.
The team's website www.northabout.com has information on the expedition's progress.
