Page 10: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2024)

Navigation

T e Northwest Passage:

Shorter Voyages, Millions

Saved, Perils Galore

By Jamie Rock he Northwest passage has been the dream of many mari- ners, traders, explorers and

T governments, and as the Arc- tic circle is deicing, passage through the area is now possible for a variety of ships. Currently, the passage is open from July to September, and those three months represent a revolution in mari- time shipping, allowing ships to bypass the Panama Canal and shorten voyages by thousands of miles while saving hun- dreds of thousands of dollars.

But even with the tremendous sav- ings in time and money, there are many variables to consider, because without proper training and preparation, those savings could evaporate and the route could become potentially dangerous and costly. Here’s a list of your top con- siderations if mulling a run through the

Northwest Passage: 1. Navigation: Navigation is one of the biggest issues. As of 2016, NOAA produced the “U.S. Arctic Nauti- 1 cal Charting Plan. ” Most mariners haven’t practiced polar navigation © Peter Hermes Furian/AdobeStock since they were in school, and at school it was usually taught as a side note to terrestrial navigation. sue, it is followed closely by communications. In the higher o

It’s important to remember that in latitudes of 55 N and high- latitudes most Inmarsat coverage is lost and the polar transit 2 er, GPS signals degrade. Because of the nature of the earth, of other satellites is minimal. The mariner would be able to all meridians converge at the poles and what is used for bear inform shoreside of? ces when they are entering and exit- and course lines can’t be adequately relied upon.

ing the Northwest passage, but updates during the transit 2. Communication: While navigation is the greatest is- are dif? cult at best. Even if polar satellite infrastructure im- 10 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • September 2024

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