Open Passage Expedition

Cameron and Crew of "SILENT SOUND", Master Mariners in Halifax, many with Arctic experience, applaud your achievement and would like to meet with you and give our personal congratulations and hear about your epic voyage.
Please contact me, Angus McDonald, tel., 902-429-0644 in Halifax. Some of us will be gathering at the Maritime Museum, Wednesday, at about 1930h and we'd just love to meet you at that time. If that is not convenient, perhaps you could give me a time for us to meet and I can easily come to your fine vessel or meet at a location of your choice.
We admire what you have done and would really like to meet with you and your crew before you leave Halifax.
Cheers!
Angus
Capt. Angus McDonald,
Company of Master Mariners of Canada

One more item to check off the bucket list !! Congratulations !! I have really enjoyed following you guys throughout the whole trip, and checking in on your site a couple of times a day. What am I going to do now...guess follow the Vancouver Canucks. While sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table on Saturday nite, we did toast you guys, on accomplishing this huge trip and fullfilling one of your dreams and doing it safely. Cam, on your way home to HK you are welcome to stay over at our home for some good home cooked meals (no beans, turkey or granola) & lodging. We have lots of room, so your welcome to stay. Take care and talk to you soon. Cheers, Murray & Marilyn

Hi, Cap'n Cameron and Crew!
Congratulations on sailing through the NW Passage and making it safely to Halifax.
I am writing you on behalf of The Company of Master Mariners of Canada, Maritimes Division based here in Halifax. We wish to invite you to our meeting in the Maritime M useum on Wednesday, October 14..at about 1930. Our meeting starts at 2000. The Museum is just a short walk along the boardwalk from where you are berthed. The members would just love to hear about your experiences during your extraordinary voyage from Victoria.
Please call me at 429-0644.
Angus McDonald
PS Our website address is; www.mastermariners.ca

Congratulations to you all with hugs all around! We are so very pleased that you've accomplished your goals and achieved your dream. We've followed you throughout the journey and you've given us inspiration to keep working on our boat and dreams (crew positions are still open on the Lady Grenfell)! Please know that whenever you come to Sidney, BC, our door is open to you Cam, Hans & Tobias, and the barbeque will be on! Oh, and by the way, we're getting married Oct 25th! Cheers to you all - Joann Rickert & Charles Pike

Congrats guys on your long voyage. I am pretty sure we saw you sail pass us while we were doing a survey around Tuktoyaktuk NWT. I was on the MV Alex Gordon escorting the MV Viking Vision. By the looks of your photos you had quite the adventure, I hope you achieved everything you set out to do. Take Care and Fair Winds
Nelsen

Welcome to dry land Cam(cuz) and crew!!!!!! I am so proud of you and so are a lot of the Dueck's!!! Nice to read about your expedition along the way it was so cool!!!! enjoy ALL your FAMILY out there to greet you!!!!! I'm sure you got a lot of more stories to tell!!! ENJOY!! love your CUZ LORNA (DUECK) WIEBE

Congratulations on such an amazing achievement ! Cameron, hope to see you soon in HK !
Olivier

To the Courageous Captain and Crew of "Silent Sound"!
Congratulations on an epic job well and safely done.
See you in Halifax tomorrow evening. We arrive at 7:30pm. We are at the Residence Inn Halifax Downtown. Have a great party tonight. Save a place at the dinner table for us on Sunday and Monday Night! I will have my Cell Phone with me (250-8883976).
Regrets from Gus!
Trudi and Norman

Safe Return: What a great journey. I am going to miss looking in on your web site numerous times a day. John

Congratulations on a challenge well met. I see by the live tracker that you in spitting distance of Halifax Harbour. I remember that journey well, returning from sea duty on board HMCS Restigouche. Sorry to hear about the Trich. infection. Any wild meat should be cooked to death to kill any parasites. Have you decided on the fate of the boat yet?
Bill Westfall

Hi Cameron, Hanns, Tobias, Drew, Chris, Troy, Tricia and Anna,
Congratulations on a job well-done! It has been wonderful to be part of your amazing journey, and I'm so proud and happy for all of you. Cam, it's hard to believe that not that many months ago, you were so stressed from all the planning and organising for "The Project", and now, the fulfillment of your dreams is finally here. Enjoy the arrival/homecoming party in Halifax. I am with you in spirit!
Big hugs,
Jen

Hallo Tobbe, in Gedanken waren wir den ganzen Törn über bei euch.... Hut ab!!! Jetzt sind es nur noch ein paar Meilen und eine Zeit, die ihr nie vergessen werdet wird vorbei sein... Alles Gute und wir sehen uns in good old Germany....
Gabi und Klaus

Dear Cameron and Crew,
Congratulations to you, Hans, Tobias and Drew, not forgetting the sea sick Anna, on coming to the end of your incredible journey which I have watched with increasing interest as you have conquered the North West Passage. Thank you for the explanations and descriptions of all you have seen and done and the spectacular photographs.I have learnt a great deal about Arctic communities.
By chance my wife and I were visiting Victoria on the day your boat was blessed and you set off. We had sat down to eat our packed lunch opposite your departure point!
Since returning to England I have followed the expedition and looked forward to the successful outcome of your long and amazing journey.
Again, hearty congratulations and best wishes,
Geoff Daft
Keyworth
Nottingham
England

Hallo Tobbe, jetzt habt Ihr's bald geschafft. Ich bin sicher, dass Du wieder einen Sack voller toller Erfahrungen mit heim bringst. Die Bilder sind echt faszinierend und endlich gibt's auch mal wieder ein Nacktbild von Dir - jetzt weiß ich, was ich vermisst habe. Laßt Euch schön empfangen und feiern, wir freuen uns auf ein Wiedersehen in Mainz, Lg Julia und Fritz

Hallo Tobias,herzlichen Glückwunsch, wir gratulieren dir und der crew für eure tolle Expedition und hoffen, dass alles so verlaufen ist, wie ihr es euch gewünscht habt. Vielen dank für die wunderschönen Bilder im Internet, so waren in Gedanken sehr oft bei dir. Wir wünschen euch jetzt noch einen guten Weg nach Hause. Wir freuen uns sehr darauf dich bald wieder gesund und munter - in der Heimat auf dem Riederberg - zu begrüßen zu können. Bis bald Günter und Elke. Wiesbaden.

Dear Cameron and Crew,
Sidney,BC. is so far away from Halifax. I agree with what you say in "Inside Out". I was for a time with Pacifc Western Airlines on the Herc.and I toured the North of the country like the Cambridge Bay and the Resolute and all the north.
I won't be seeing you on Oct 10 because I am way Desolation Sound in the sailboat.
Ian Hansen

Congratulations !!!! Thank you for sharing your expedition via pictures, video, the guest book, everything was amazing. Nice to hear of the wonderful, friendly people along your journey. Enjoy your reunion with family and friends. Perhaps a book or movie in the works ? Take care and thank you, thank you.
Gail Rose
Mississauga, On

Dear Cameron, Tobbe and Hanns. Three times a day I checked your homepage, followed your progress, read your blog, watched your videos and fotographies. I think I will miss my daily routine…On the other hand I am so happy to welcome you next Saturday in Halifax ! I wish you a safe trip home and congratulations for all you´ve achieved this far! xxx Steffi.

Dear Cameron and crew
I have folllowed your voyage all the way from Victoria BC to Cornerbook Nfld and I am absolutely amazed that you managed to sail a 40 ft sailboat through the North West passage- I have learned so much , the places that you have visited and the people that you have met- are there any lessons for future explorers.? Personally I think you have been extremely lucky, the ice is obviously worse this year than expected, also the high seas in the Labrador Sea are testing a 40 ft sailboat to the extreme. If I were to contemplate such a voyage I would probably do it with an ice strengthened tug . I have a friend in the shipping business who says the main thing about ice navigation is to avoid it. - I really wanted to come to Halifax NS and introduce myself but it is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend Oct 10/12 and the family has other plans. Anyway, congratulations to all of you and I feel that through this guestbook we have become friends. If I come to Hongkong next year (on business) I will say "hello"
kindest regards
Hans

i have been following your passage on the computer and am amazed at the trip you have undertaken but looks like the hardest part is over and you are on the home stretch.So pleased you have seen so much and met facinating people along the way. God speed and good luck the rest of your trip Sandra Mason cwmason@rogers .com

Good Sunday to our Adventurers! We bring greetings and Blessings from Revs. Ed Lewis and Bob MacRae. Ed's very roots are NFL as you will recall. He urges caution on your last 1000 miles, coming from his lifetime experience of joys and sorrows there. He mentioned Battle Harbour and if possible, Mary's Harbour as points of interest, time permitting of course. We wish you calm seas till you reach sheltered waters! Much Love, Trudi, Norman and Gus

Cam, I feel a certain sense of pride to be able to call you my friend, after everything you have achieved on your expedition this summer. It’s been a bloody long hot summer in HK (the hottest in 50 years?!) and Lynz and I have been looking forward with great excitement to seeing you arrive safe and sound in Halifax. We’ve missed you…. but we leave Nova Scotia on Oct 5th so stop fucking around head butting cabinets and put your bloody foot down.
phatboy

You guys are absolutely crazy. What were you thinking? We here on Ocean Watch are in total awe of you. We're tied to the dock here in Halifax where we were warmly welcomed but regretfully leaving tomorrow for Boston and points south. We've told everyone here what nuts you all are, so you should get a warm welcome also. One of the most memorable aspects of our arctic summer for me was the sense of community within our three boats. It was amazing that in all that vastness it still seemed such a small world. the generosity of spirit on Silent Sound was a large part of that. What are you guys doing for fun after this? Congrats. -Dave

Hello to the Great Adventurers!
We just saw your last posted position via Live Tracking to be opposite Whale Island and Big White Bearskin Island off the Labrador Coast. WOW! 6666 Nautical Miles under your belts and the end within realistic sight. How great is that? We are all set up with our flights and hotel. We will arrive in Halifax via Toronto at 7:29pm on October 11th, staying at the "Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown" .
By the way, Hanns, Gus is pushing hard to join us...he learned that his predecessor in the house here, (another very distinguished Bernese Mountain Dog, "Diesel's Baron Von Tyrol" -i.e. "Ty") got a chance to go out to Newfoundland with me, Norman in 1997 and made it as far as St. Anthony to visit my son Christopher who was then doing a stint at the Grenfell Hospital there, so he doesn't know why he can't come with us to see you guys in Halifax! Maybe not! If you get a chance to go into St. Anthony, Tobias may find the history of this Medical Mission particularly interesting.
As to Trudi's German, Hanns, she says that everything she knows about the German language was learned "by ear". She reads fairly well by my standards but a novel may be a bit of a challenge without a German/English Dictionary. I'm very proud to say that her language skills outpace mine!
Hoping the weather continues to be fairwinds...
Much Love,
Trudi, Norman and Gustav

Hello skipper and crew of the Silent Sound,
since today there is a new, old, Chinese proverb: It is more conveniently in the heat and to think of the cold than reversed. I am now in the Caribbean. Kralendijk / Bonaire and pursue your journey in the Internet. Fantastic. The north-west-passage is one of my dreams. Whether I can realize that one anytime, however, I dont know . For the rest of the journey: Immer eine Handbreit am Eisberg vorbei. (That is not chinese!)
Annette Knipp und Wilfried Schmidt
SY Senta Kralendijk / Bonaire

Kudos to you and your team.....I came across your expedition while reading cbc news online. For someone who isn't all that aware - beyond the everyday person - I am stunned. Safe journey. Bis später,
Vivien Hogg

Hallo, Tobias. wir waren jetzt eine woche auf kreta und haben viele segelboote gesehen. Dabei haben wir immer an dich gedacht. Wieder zu hause, haben wir gleich nachgeschaut wie weit ihr in der zwischenzeit gekommen seit. Ganz beachtlich, herzlichen glückwunsch. Ja, bald habt ihr es geschaft. Wir wünschen dir und der crew weiterhin alles gute und glück, dass ihr das letzte stück gut über das wasser bringt. Wir freuen uns auf ein baldiges wiedersehen mit dir. Grüsse aus der Heimat.Günter und Elke.Wiesbaden.

God speed your journey, I wish I could be there to witness with you.
Rob Elliott
Yorkton SK

Hallo Tobbe, super, Ihr habt es fast geschafft!!! Die Jedermänner von Hahnstätten haben Euch unter ständiger Beobachtung gehabt und jeden Donnerstag war Auswertung (also auch heute Abend wieder). Wir freuen uns schon auf Deine Berichte!!! Viele Grüße an Dich und die anderen Beiden und wir drücken die Daumen für das letzte Stück!

Hello, As a temporary inhabitant of Brevoort Island, I noticed you are anchored in harbour this morning, Hope all is well and your trip has been a good one.
Gary Babin

Cameron Murray , Hanns & Dr.T., Congratulations!!! What a great achievment you've acomplished in sailing through the NW Passage in a 40' fiberglass sailboat ! That was a gutsy adventure, and that is something you guys will never forget, and will talk about for the rest of your lives. It doesn't seem that long ago that Marilyn and I, saw you guys off in Victoria B.C. at the start of this wonderful trip, and now that part on your "journey of life", will come to an end in a mere couple of weeks. Wish we could be there in Halifax to welcome you back home. Once again congratulations....Cheers, Marilyn & Murray (P.S. A toast will happen on the west coast when you arrive on the east coast!!!)

Hi Cameron
Congratulations, you can be justly proud of your great achievement - For your guidance I had dinner last Friday with some of the Fednav executives who probably know more about Arctic navigation than anyone else, , except of course you and your able mates . They told me in no uncertain terms to forget about sailing through Viscount Melville Sound, they say your route is the way to go i.e via Peel Sound with 50,000 tonners with max 12 m draft
On a different note, you say you have 1800 n/miles to go with ETA Halifax Oct 10, that's 25 days from today. Perhaps you plan another stop along the way ? Girl friends in Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay) ? Anyway, sincere congratulations and I hope to meet you and your able officers in Halifax in October.
Kindest regards
Hans
PS sorry to hear about the concussion , hope you feel better soon (quite smart of you to have a doctor on board)

Cameron and crew, a big congratulations for this amazing achievement! Did you have a mini celebration on board as you crossed the Arctic circle? No worries if you were too busy manning the boat to toast, there'll be plenty of toasting in Halifax! Keep safe for the last leg of your journey. Cameron, maybe your Christmas present will be a helmet. See you in Halifax! Love Jackie

Hello to Capt'n Cameron, Dr T.,and Mighty Mate Hans! What good fortune that you have each other on an Expedition such as yours. We know you will keep safe and not let down your guard. Now about those polar Bears... Much Love, Trudi Norman and Gus

Dear Cameron and crew:
Ever since you gave your presentation to the Canadian staff Consulate General of Canada, I have been following your wonderful blogs with great interest. I can hardly wait to see you on stage in a year accepting the Oscar for best documentary! Your achievements are being following around the world and it is hard to believe that you are on the homeward journey. I wish I could be in Halifax to welcome the crew home - that will be a great party. All the best.
From Susan Burrows in HK where it is 33 degrees above zero!
Susan Burrows
Consul
Consulate General of Canada/Consulate général du Canada
Hong Kong

Hi Cam, Been reading your blog! Sounds like you are having an amazing experience! Hoping that you'll be in Manitoba sometime to show us all your pictures. Great job on the blog - i felt like I was caribou hunting with you.... Tanya

Fort Ross was a Hudson Bay trading post opened in the 30's and closed in the late 40's when the ice increased and they could not supply it. This is just the regular cycles of climate. Likely in a couple years you won't be able to reach Fort Ross with a regular boat. McClintock crossed to the West end of Bellot Strait in 1858 where he was stopped by ice. The Nascopie went through the Bellot Strait to supply Hudson Bay posts more than once in the 30's and 40's.
How history repeats. From September 13, 1937. "Last week this new, shorter Northwest Passage's navigability was dramatically demonstrated as Hudson Bay Company's Eastern Arctic Patrol Nascopie sounded her way through Bellot Strait. Snow shrouded the Arctic dusk as head on through the haze came the bow of another ship. Nascopie's Captain Thomas Smellie's incredulous hail got a booming reply from veteran Arctic Trader Patsy Klingenberg, from the deck of the Schooner Aklavik, eastbound to Baffin Island, and astonished Eskimo cheers from both crews echoed through the rock-bound channel. That night captains of both vessels described from their anchorages to Canadian Broadcasting Co. and NBC audiences their historic meeting. Hopeful for the growing trade of the North were residents and sponsors of Churchill that somehow Northwest Passage II would bring business, help redeem millions of dollars sunk in Canada's most northerly port." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,770864-2,00.html Shawn Whelan

A huge Hello to Capt'n Cameron and Crew!
Well done on you safe passage to Pond Inlet. You have navigated the most treacherous of waters and deserve the most laudatory congratulations! Well done to all of you. Drew's absence will be something to adjust to. Will it now be the three of you? Erin is with us for a few days before returning to Spain for the last of her stint there. She has gone through your web site with awe. She looks great and sends her best wishes, as well. be hope the Postal Shipment's arrival won't delay your your journey from Pond Inlet, by the way. Keep up the watch for those Bear. They're bound to be waiting for you and say ``Boo!`` when you least expect it. Much Love, Trudi, Norman, Erin and Gus

Hi Cameron, Hanns, Tobias & Drew. Thanks so much for the post card! Yes, amazingly it got to us with the address of "House with a big boat in the back yard" - the joys of a small town! It seems we just said good-bye to you at the dock in Victoria and now you're so far along in your journey. We're so very pleased for you and have been following your progress and amazing experiences and enjoying your blog every berg of the way. We are definitely with you in spirit. Charles is inspired and working hard to finish our boat. Thanks for keeping in touch and if you need anything on the west coast just let us know. Fair Winds and travel safely. Joann Rickert & Charles Pike

Cameron , first of all sincere congratulations to you and your crew for navigating the North West Passage from West to East in a sailboat, that's a fantastic achievement and you can be justly proud (if you read the blogs of the German yacht Perithia and the American yacht Fiona you can readily see that the North West Passage is anything but routine). As you probably know by now, I am keenly interested in the North West passage for commercial purposes, i.e. to send a panamax with iron ore from East to West through the North West passage and specifically through Viscount Melville Sound and the Prince of Wales Strait , so when you exit the Prince Regent Inlet please do me a favor and look to portside and let me know what the ice conditions are like in Barrow Strait - Again, sincere congratulations and safe journey to Pond Inlet (Baffinland Iron mines have a big operation at Pond Inlet, they loaded 3 deepsea ships at Pond Inlet in 2008 but none this year because the loading from barges is very expensive and the price of iron ore has declined ) Stay safe - Hans

Cameron - great hunting story , many thanks, however, not impressed with the shooting skills of your Inuit friends, 3 clips of ammunition is 15 bullets , to kill 2 caribou , that's not exactly sharp shooting - best regards Hans

Hallo Crew! What you have done so far so looks to me as a GREAT achievement, CONGRATULATIONS from far away and still sunny warm Germany – and that all the luck in the world stays with you for the rest of your journey. Klaus, Susanne, Daniel, Sarah.

Hi Cameron, Hans, Tobias and Drew, did you breathe a collective sigh of relief when you made it through Bellot Strait? Well, I've been watching closely and, I did! Well done Cameron & crew for getting through this challenging bit of the journey. I'm glad that nature and elements have so far been kind and I'll keep crossing my fingers for ya. You've got mail at Pond Inlet - no orange flavoured fruity gummies this time, only mango. Mango ones are better anyway. Love, Jackie

Hi to Cameron and crew! Cameron, I'm one of your niece Jaimee's friends and was curious to see how your voyage is going! My mom and I found your blog and enjoyed reading some of the recent entries. Mom also read one of the German entries about the bowhead whales. Amazing!! Keep safe and snug in your Silent Sound sailboat! This weekend we joined in the festivities of Rosenort Days! - Angelica Bergen and Mary Ann Eidse Loewen

I am living in the "SOUTH" and can't imagine how it must be to live in the cold all the time. Thank you for your interesting stories about your sailing through the northwest passage. I have enjoyed reading about the local people and the diets they have....the hunting you have done...the internet access in remote areas...the repairs you have been making along the way..the hospitality of the local people...all of it. I especially enjoyed the pictures which made it easier to picture in my mind the things you are going through on your journey. I am bookmarking this site to come back to later and finish reading. This is much better than the CNN news channel. Enjoy!!! Enjoy!!! and keep letting us hear from you. Connie

Hello and Fairleads, Just wondering if you guys could cook with a blackened cardboard box also known as a solar cooker? I've seen these on cruising boats and would save on cooking fuel plus easy to cook rice and beans with in a pot on deck. Probably to cold now though. You guys remind me of my favorite song By Stan Rogers. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVY8LoM47xI&feature=related Good Luck Donald Jones

Hi Cameron - you spin a good tale (Caribou hunting) looking forward to hearing the rest of the story - a friend of mine goes Caribou hunting in Northern Quebec, the limit is 2 caribou per person , usually it takes just one shot from about 250 yards away, they use a rifle with telescopic sight, the poor critters don't have a chance - not a "sport" for me , besides I am a vegetarian - guess you are stuck in the ice? I can follow your position on the Canadian Coast Guard page, for some reason your yacht shows up, the other yachts do not , there is a Russian ship not far from you , a bit further north but heading south , mv Liubov Orlova - if you are stuck perhaps they can clear a channel for you - good luck Hans

Hallo Tobias und Crew, heute haben wir deinen brief vom 5.8.09 erhalten. wir haben uns sehr darüber gefreut. Weiterhin wünschen wir dir und der crew viel glück und gute erfahrungen mit den menschen dort. wir fahren heute in den rheingau und werden auf dich einen schoppen trinken. immer guten wind in den segeln und genügend wasser unterm kiel. wir verfolgen ständig eure expedition und sind in gedanken oft bei dir. Tschüß und viele grüsse aus der heimat. Günter und Elke.

Read Jack London’s books about seafaring? Or Franklin’s expedition? Dave Smithwick

Hi Drew, Please let us know how you are doing. The live tracker is two days old, no blogs for several days and no new entries in the guestbook. The update is also more than a day old. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND THE CREW. We are leaving for D.C. tomorrow and will be back Monday, August 31. If you need us, call Dad's cell phone or the office. XX00-Mom

Hi folks how about an update ? cheers Hans

Hi Cameron just want to let you know that the cargo ship mv Camilla Desgagnes blt 1982 7000 mt dwt Ro Ro ship loa 133.4 metres is in your area , in fact, according to the Canadian Coast Guard webpage , she must be very close to your positon. This ship belongs to my customers Groupe Desgagnes of Quebec City , you may want to make contact with the Captain and ask him for the best ice free passage to Resolute. (via Panama .. just kidding , of course) He has just come from up North. Desgagnes (Quebecois name , pronounced "dayganyai") operate ships in the Arctic every summer to re-supply all the little villages and hamlets, they have huge experience with Arctic navigation , suggest you speak to the Captain or First Mate best wishes Hans

Hi Cameron, Hanns, Tobias and Drew: I just finished catching up with all your adventures by reading your Blog pages. Bob and I have been away on a trip to Scotland so haven't been able to follow along daily. You are having some excellent and some unexpected adventures. What a stroke of good luck to be able to repair the engine mounts in Cambridge Bay where a machine shop and mechanical advice were available. I hope the next leg through heavier ice goes well and that you keep safe and sound. Bob joins me in wishing you all the best for the second half of your journey. Blessings, Susan MacRae, Victoria.

Hi Guys, We are watching your progress and wishing you the very best! We made it through last year on the Geraldine, http://www.mvgeraldine.com and we are praying for your success! We had lots of char but no musk ox! Aren't the people in the Arctic wonderful? Kip and Walt Jones

you might enjoy this one ... The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. --William Arthur Ward (1921 – 1994) best regards Hans

Well done on your efforts to bring climate change more into the public eye. I have been following your expedition with interest, having grown up exclusively on boats - and made my living from them for the last fifteen years. My own experience with climate change - witnessing the tremendous change in Hong Kong's and Southern China's environment since I arrived in 1990 finally forced me to move my wife and three kids to New Zealand last year. From every perspective except income, it has been a wonderful move. After many years in publishing, my job has been to install and maintain the "shark prevention nets" protecting Hong Kong's beaches, so I have been daily witness to the increasing levels of pollution and decreasing numbers of marine fauna over many years. Having made the study of climate change my hobby for the last twelve years, I take Lovelocks warnings very much to heart. Good luck with the multi-year ice, jelly-fish and methane seeps - and the bane of all sailors, marine toilets! :-). Tony Havens

Hi it's me again :) just one short comment about your Diesel engine, Perkins 4:108 - where do you get your cooling water for the engine? we have seen a lot of problems with commercial ships when the intake valves for the cooling water become clogged with ice , this causes all sorts of engine malfunctions . Recently most Canadian Arctic ships have installed separate cooling water tanks that do not need seawater - just wanted to share this with you in case it might be helpful sincerely Hans

Sorry to hear about the grounding. No damage done, I hope! Reminds me of that weekend on LOTW on the houseboat - I had charts and everything, but a moment of inattention was all it took to put that 40 footer up high and dry on a reef. As you may remember, it took an hour and a half of kedging, prying with the gangplanks, shifting of ballast (women and children)and full power reverse to get us off that reef. There's a 50-50 chance that Sharon and I will be in Halifax to see you coming in. Rod

Hi Guys very pleased to hear that you have reached Cambridge Bay , that's quite an accomplishment - all the best for the rest of the journey , I think once you get up to Resolute the rest should be smooth sailing . I am sitting here in Antwerp Belgium on a Sunday morning (after the wedding ) and thinking what it must be like to go through the NW Passage. I have always had this ambition to send a commercial ship through the NWP but realistically it would have to be via the Prince of Wales Strait and the Viscount Melville Sound. The route that you are taking (and most of the Russian Cruise ships and Petrocanada tugs ) is not deep enough for large bulkcarriers which have a laden draft of about 13 metres. - good luck with the rest of your passage, I will be tuning in every day . kindest regards Hans

Hi Drew and Crew…. Loved reading your recent blogs ….you are so articulate I felt I was on the expedition and sharing your great adventure . Of course after the skinning of the seal story ….im glad im here in LA about to watch Tiger win the PGA Safe travels ….. Much love Dad

Dear Cameron, Hanns, Tobias and Drew….I have been following your journey since your departure from British Columbia and check on your passage daily. I enjoy hearing of your experiences and want you to know that many of us are excited about your venture. I have been to Cambridge Bay a few times and your stopping there has me reflecting on some of our great adventures. I particularly appreciate the attention you are bringing to the Indigenous Knowledge on your voyage. Take care and keep up the good work. You have more followers than you probably know. Andrea Williams

Hi Drew, Enjoyed reading your recent blogs and was VERY, VERY happy to speak with you last night. ENJOY and be SAFE. XX00-Mom

Bump in the night Yikes! Take care, boys. Hope you and SS have a soft landing at Cambridge Bay. Hugs, Jen

Good afternoon crew, It was a real pleasure to have met most of you out in the open Arctic Ocean at Lady Franklin Point. Seeing you doing something that our Inuit ancestor did long before the modern world caught up and brought the motor boats and aircrafts made we wish to join and tour the rest of Nunavut at a less stressing pace. I have always wanted to try sailing or traveling the Arctic Ocean. Maybe some day! Anyways stay safe and may the Good Lord watch your journey and guide you safely. Allen Niptanatiak

Rotten Ice
thanks , I am honestly worried about you , a 40 ft fiberglass boat is no match for multi year ice, it is lethal, also the vibrations of the prop do not sound too good, usually damage to the prop occurs when you are backing up into the ice, not when you are going forward. I still think your best bet is to follow one of the Canadian ice breakers through the heavy ice very best of luck Hans

Hi guys following your progress every day , guess you are heading for Cambridge Bay, then Goya Haven, hope there is an icebreaker to help you through the passage or perhaps a tug from Petrocanada, they also operate in the Arctic, you will need some help but best wishes - I sincerely hope you make it through the NWP and I can buy you a beer in Halifax NS I am going to Paris France for the weekend ( a good customer is getting married ) , perhaps a drink and a show at the Crazy Horse, they have a Mountie at the door , very Canadian , will be thinking of you as I watch the showgirls take care and have fun Hans

Hello To Cpt'n Cameron and Crew: We watch your progress and wonder about what lies ahead for ice in Dease Strait and the Coronation Gulf. Google images show a complete ice cover in those regions leading up to Cambridge Bay, though we realize that the Satellite images may not be current. Good Luck and keep those Updates coming! Love, Trudi Norman and Gus

Hey Cameron Love the Arctic cooking shows. Cant wait to see the rest of the footage for your expedition. Good luck!! Paul Boyle

Hi Drew, Glad to read the update. It sounded like a nice day. How are you? XX00-Mom

Hi, Just read your latest blog and was wondering why you did not mention the nice summer weather that was happening when you were up in Sachs. I guess you did not expect to see the snow coming down so early in your voyage...not exactly the global warming image is it! Larry Carpenter

Dear Drew, We read your blog. Hope you are adjusting to the arduous trip and that it is everything you were looking forward to. We worry about you keeping some flesh on your bones, not just eating it. You need more blubber. We love you, miss you and worry about all of you XX00-Mom and Dad

Hey Cameron and the crew, it was great to see your short cooking shows on youtube. Your bread looks fantastic ! Safe journey ! From HK, Jo and Olivier

Hallo, Tobias, wir hoffen sehr, dass es dir und der Crew gut geht. Wie verfolgen fast jeden Tag im Internet eure Tour. I Ihr seid ja schon ganz schön weit vorran gekommen. Weiterhin immer guten Wind, viel Glück und Spass. Liebe Grüsse aus der Heimat. Günter und Elke, Wiesbaden.

Welcome to Sachs Harbour. It’s a nice surprise to see such a beautiful boat in our harbour. I think its safe to say that your arrival has stirred up the community in a good way of course. We don't see boats of your kind here too often. Looks like you have quite the trip ahead of you. Happy sails..Priscilla Haogak

Cameron just some friendly advice,:- don't publish too much about your sewage problems, you are not allowed to dump raw sewage in Canadian waters, as a pleasure craft you may get away with a warning the first time but the second time you get a fine from 5000 to 10,000 Dollars , and just because you are in the Arctic don't think you are alone, they usually watch via satellite I know that does not help you with the broken pump but we are shipbrokers and ship agents here in Montreal and don't want you guys to get a heavy fine, in the Great Lakes the fine is about 100,000 Dollars for dumping raw sewage kindest regards Hans

Hey Cam, I'm really enjoying your site, the live tracking, blog, videos and the awesome pic's. I check up on you guys every day. Seems like your making pretty good time seeing that it is only the early part of Aug. Re the broken head...and there you were thinking cleaning the turkey pens was bad !! After you get all repairs done, you best sit down with the crew and Captain Morgan and and talk about the finer things in life. Cheers, Murray

Greetings from the Arctic Coast Visitor Centre in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut! We have heard of your arrival and look forward to meeting you. Please come to our Visitor Centre if you have time. If you need anything before you arrive, please contact us at coasters@qiniq.com or at 867-983-2224 and we will do our best! Regards and happy sailing, Vicki, Mason and Melynda

Just checked out the Environment Canada forcast for Tuk-you've got nicer weather for next week than we've had all of July in southern Manitoba! Enjoy! Terry

Hi Tobbe, Hello Crew, Good Luck and Good speed on this worthwhile expedition. This is really a journey of a lifetime! I´m looking forward to hearing more about your adventure... Wishing you and the rest of the crew a great time, save travels and healthy return! See you back in Germany. Volker (The former neighbour ;o) )

I wonder if the old timers remember Henry Larsen and the St. Roch. The Natives called the St. Roch the Big Ship and Larsen spent most of the Thirties and half of the the Forties piloting the "Big Ship" around the NW Passsage. He wrote a book called the "Big Ship", and it is a very interesting read. Larsen crossed the NW Passage both West to East and then East to West in the Forties. With the cool temperatures in the NW Passage and the old ice it will be touch and go if a sailboat can make it through this year. And impossible to duplicate Larsen's 1944 feat of travelling the Northern Route of the NW Passage. Shawn Whelan

Hi Cam, We are excited about the progress you and your crew are making and today arriving in Tuktoyaktuk! We flew in there several years ago when we travelled up the Dempster Highway from Dawson City. Can't imagine how it would feel to come in there on a sailboat. We check daily on your progress and keep you in our hearts and minds for God's protection and safety as you travel the North. Henry & Betty Harms

This site provides a map and the temperatures in the Arctic.
http://www.athropolis.com/map2.htm Shawn Whelan

Now, did you change your little mascot's name from Boopy to Booby (as noted on photos) because of the Breastfeeding Celebration you encountered in Barrow? Trivial I know, but somewhat noteworthy! Glad your live tracking is working - we watch you daily. Praying for your safety and success. Love ya tons, Connie Harms

Hey Cameron and crew. The photos look AMAZING mate, but those grilled seal ribs don’t look too appetising ... I’ll stick to lamb rack thanks. But it’s great to see the progress you are making and that you are being confronted with such majestic sights. Stay safe dude, and see you back in Hong Kong. Adam

All, here is more information on what is happening to our oceans. Not sure if this is related to 15 mile long blob reported in arctic sea between Wainwright and Barrow but certainly interesting.... Harmful Algal Blooms http://www.oceanchampions.org/legislation.html?gclid=CLzjwubr2JsCFQIyxwodsyK9mQ#save%20our%20shores and check this out... http://knol.google.com/k/david-bunnell/say-goodbye-to-the-ocean/1lz7lb1ox9nk2/2# Travel safely, Coo in Nebraska <><

Hey Crew, Keep on the look out for the unknown giant blob floating 15 miles long in ocean between Wainwright and Barrow. No one seems to know what it is but the experts think it is biological. Maybe it's the algae bloom like that red tide? Here is the story in the AK newspaper. http://www.adn.com/front/story/864687.html?pageNum=2&&&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container

Hi Cameron, glad to see you doing well and living glamorously. No ice here in Annapolis, more work than sailing. Well, be safe and enjoy the journey. Look forward to seeing you again in the fall on Authority. Godspeed. Frank Caruso

Hallo Hanns, i’m not surprised to find you here. Wuensch dir das Allerbeste! Have a save and interesting trip! Bye bye sailor... Viele liebe Grüsse aus Belgien von Nele.

Hello to the Captain and fearless Crew! We send Greetings from the Yorkshire Dales where we have to admit, we too, are in otherworldly places. BUT,we are certainly not in fear or concern for peril, except for the careless locals who ignore the rules of the road on the single track "motorways". We are impressed with your progess and will look forward to the return of your line tracking, though the Google Earth link served it's purpose admirably. Stay safe and try to keep those Lobster Dinners out of mind. Love, Trudi and Norman

Hello Crew, I have been following your journey as well as many others. This sounds like a great opportunity to research the effects of climate change, and the effects it has on our precious wildlife! I live in Chicago Illinois and something I have always dreamed of was sailing Lake Michigan and our other great lakes as well. But I am married with a wonderful wife and three great loving children ages 3,5 and 7 that won't let me do that in the near future! So in the meantime I will live vicariously through you gentlemen and dream of the open seas and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. And be very safe with the treacherous seas that may greet you. Take care of each other and God Speed!
Eddie Haggerty

Hi. from Campobello Island New Brunswick. When you get to the Beaufort Sea, will you let me know if you see any bubbles in the open water. Thank you. Andrea Silverthorne

Hi Crew! Last night I had marvellous dinner with the land lobbers in Hong Kong – Jackie, Troy and Jackie. We talked a lot about you – basically only about you. We had Spanish food and talked a lot about your adventure. Hope Camerons wisdom teeth will get better – as you might need some wisdom on your journey and I know Tobias´s wisdom teeth were gone quite a while ago. Perhaps you can rely on Hans. All the best for your passage into the Arctic circle now – Klaus

The temperatures have been cold in the area of the NW Passage and remain so. The problem will be the Western end of the NW Passage which is full of old ice. The route that Larsen and Scotty Gall took may be the only one open, if any. The warming is not quite as advertised. Shawn Whelan

Hello Crew, Hope you guys will have a safe journey! It was a pleasure to meet you all and issue you your cruising license. Sorry about the crummy weather. I can control some things, but weather is not one of them. I hope you stocked up with some better food then just beef jerky. Don’t forget to check in with me when you stop anywhere in Alaska.
Your Dutch Harbor Customs Officer, Stephanie Halama

Enjoyed reading your blog entry on Dutch Harbour. Keeping close tabs on you from afar,always looking for new pictures! Travel safe! Prayin for you and the crew. Love ya ~ Cheryl.

haven't heard much about Boopy. Is he enjoying the expedition so far? Has he gotten into your food stash at all? Connie Harms

I doubt this year will be anything like 2007. More likely more ice than 2008. This old ice blocking the passage may be a problem. From the Canadian Ice Service "Of concern for the western Arctic region for this summer, is the unusual amount of old ice described earlier in Franklin Strait and M’Clintock Channel. This will most certainly prevent the clearing of the Northwest Passage for a fourth consecutive year and affect transit through the Victoria Strait region during late August and early September period. " The old ice is the brown are on this chart from the CIS.
http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/prods/WIS56SD/20090629180000_WIS56SD_0004445228.gif Interesting trivia. The first man born in Scotland to cross the NW Passage was Scotty Gall a feat he accomplished in 1937. http://www.kitikmeotheritage.ca/Angulalk/hudsons/scottyg/scotty.htm.
Shawn Whelan

Hi Tobbe, hi crew, all the best from maldives, other side of the world! We wish you all the best and hope to see you soon back in good old germany, Mario and Therese

Hi to the crew of Open Passage Expedition.
I spent 6 months at Alert on Ellesmere in 1970 from March 20th to August 20th. Mostly daylight for my stint with the CAForces. I found the high Arctic a fascinating place. The only open water didn't happen till mid August and already snow was flying before I went home.
I hope you make it through the straits and get on down the east coast of Canada. Have a safe and educational summer trip.
retired CAF veteran Dave Robinson in Saskatoon, Sk

Happy Canada Day ...Cameron and crew..Hope you have great sailing weather today...Wet & overcast h in Ottawa for next 3-4 days.Chimo ! Patrick

Hallo Tobiaaaaaaas! Alles liebe und alles gute zu euch!!!! In case you need some bottles of wine, you know – just let me know! JJJ
Liebe Grüße aus Wiesbaden,
Irina

Ahoy mates! I can't tell you how fascinated I am with your expedition and look forward to checking your site daily. Like I stumbled on your site a couple months ago, while searching for "local" information about what was happening with the NW Passage, climate change, etc. tonight, I stumbled on another expedition that is "north" of you at: 61 04N 165 40W
Maybe you know them and are in communication with them? On the vessel Ocean Watch it appears they similar objectives as you all. Their Crew Log from 6/29 was very interesting and sad. They said that their skipper is "in shock" because the Bering Sea Pilot Charts that apparently warn of rough seas are not what they are experiencing at all. They found themselves in flat, calm water and apparently it's "never, like. this." Their vessel, Ocean Watch came to a complete halt and the air temperature was warm, they had to peel off clothes.
Also, they are in contact with a scientist from Yale, in Massachusetts, US, whom educated them on jellyfish and their role as being a "barometer" of the health of the sea. When their vessel stopped, they saw lots of jellyfish. Additionally, they said that the Jelly's may be why the Pollack catch is significantly down last year. I just searched the web for Pollack catches being down and guess what? It's true and the Alaska Marine Fisheries are predicting 2009 Pollack fishing to be the lowest in recorded history!
Please report to us on the conditions you experience in the Bering Sea as well as if you see jellyfish. Thank you and Godspeed!
Here is the link to their site http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/
Coo from Nebraska

We’re watching your trip with great enthusiasm here in Halifax. Fair winds, good health and much enjoyment.
Phat boy’s auntie.

Hi Cam, I’ve been watching your progress like a hawk. And now that you’re truly in the Big Blue just miles south of the Aleutians, it’s my turn to say good luck and to let you know that your journo buddies back in Hongkers are pullin’ for ya.
Best regards, Russell Barling

Hey Cam, Greetings and best wishes from Dakar. Just wondering if you would want to trade you a few degrees of Celsius, you can even do it online, I think it would be a good swap and would make both of us more comfortable! Oh well, you can head out here to warm up once you have completed your journey. It has been interesting reading your blogs and updates and wish you well on your journey. There's an old quote that says "the longest journey a man must take is the eighteen inches from his head to his heart." Nice to see you following your heart. -- Joell Friesen

HI: Cam and crew, I enjoyed hearing you on the radio. Wish you all the very best and God Bless. Jack

Go Hanns, go go go! Tomtische Grüße aus dem Baum vor meinem Fenster. Sommer wirst du hier nicht verpassen. Aber mindestens den arbeitstrotzigen Bönselator. Habe gerade euren Livetracker getestet. Weit seid ihr noch nicht gekommen. Also sputet euch gefälligst. Herzlichst, Thomas

Hallo Tobias,
wir hoffen,
dass es Dir und Deine Crew gut geht und Ihr immer guten Wind habt.
Wir senden Dir ganz liebe Grüße aus Wiesbaden und wünschen Dir viel Glück und alles Gute.Bis auf eine baldiges Wiedersehen.
Günter und Elke Ponath.

It’s exciting to see you’ve made such good progress since we were hauled out on the hard next to you at Canoe Cove a few short weeks ago. Good luck with your voyage of discovery, we’ll follow your route online.
Cheers, Silk & David Questo (“Mystic”)

Hallo Tobias, wir hoffen es geht Dir und Deiner Segel Crew gut und habt immer guten Wind. Viele liebe Grüsse und alles Gute aus dem sonnigen und schwülen Wiesbaden. Günter und Elke.

This is an interesting site about the Canadian North. http://www.kitikmeotheritage.ca/start.htm
Shawn Whelen

Hallo Tobias, auch wir aus Henstedt-Ulzburg wünschen dir und dem Team alles Gute!!! Herzliche Grüße Regina, Thomas, Flo + Chrissi

ahoy meine Liebste. (We are able to translate tonight's twitter) I have a question and Tobias (and Troy) What is the source of the greeting, "Well helloooo" that you kept saying in Victoria? It seems to really have caught on here in Chilliwack but I can not explain its origin. Please, do tell! Hoping all is well at sea, best wishes Don Harms, Chilliwack BC

Good Evening from Mississauga, ON (Toronto) Thank you so much for sharing this awesome sailing excursion. Good luck and safe travelling. Take care.Gail Rose

We've just been introduced to your website by Norm and Trudi .As a former ops guy with British Airways I wish all the best for your trip. I'll try to keep track of you till your safe arrival. Watch out for the whales! All the best Bob Liz and Jonathan

Dear Uncle Cameron (asks Ava in Beijing, looking at the Silent Sound's progress online with her dad on Father's Day): Can you please send me a postcard next time you're ashore and send us pictures of the next bowhead you see? Do you have a waterproof camera? Are you snorkeling in the ocean? That's all for now. Oh, and my mom and pop wish you happy sailing. - AVA

We are watching you from Buffalo,NY. Wishing you all safety and good fortune. Thanks for the view of wonderful pictures. Best of luck. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely, Robert Chaffee

Good Morning form Victoria, Captain Cameron and Crew: We have every sympathy with those with "Vertigo". 52 Saturdays ago (on the morning of our wedding!), Trudi was awakened by an unexpected and scary bout thereof, (likely an unwelcome companion to her MS) - no fun. She did manage to fend it off miraculously, just before she entered the Church only to have it return a few days later, so she sends her good wishes and understandings to you, Anna and Tobias. Novo Betahistine is her "crutch" and has not let her down, since. As for me, I am reminded of my sailing as a crew member when aboard races etc. and have great respect for what you are going through. We are off to the UK early tomorrow AM with laptop in tow, looking for all those WiFi connection opportunities to keep abreast of your journey while there. We will be spreading the word of your saga. Gus will have to fend for himself at his second home with Kate Cairns, once from Portsmouth. She walks him along Dallas Road. Perhaps he too, will cast a supportive glance out to sea for you. Much Love,
Trudi Norman and Gustav

Great to hear you are on the sea again. Cam we are watching your progress daily. Even Dad is in on it;swinging by our house to check and read your entries.
I was intrigued by Janice Anderson's comment about "naysayers running amok globally". There is so much history and fact by which "naysayers" go and can draw conclusions and evidence from but so very very little actual evidence to support global warming. Much of what we "know" about global warming, or rather climate change, is theory and guessing as it has only been studied in the last few decades with little history to go on. As a matter of fact there has been a slight drop in global temperatures in the last few years which would indicate climate change but not global warming. As recently as the 70's we were told there was a serious threat to us in global cooling and studies show we are heading into a cooling period again.
A local radio station has had a standing invitation for the last two years or so to anyone out there who wants to debate a well known naysayer; Dr Tim Ball. Al Gore has been invited to do so but declined. David Suzuky did not pick up the invitation to do so either. Why? Because they are funded heavily by global warming support groups, government and so on. To debate someone from "the dark side" is not in their best interests as it would likely reveal how much fear mongering and pie in the sky theory they are using to line their pockets with money that is being thrown at them right now.
Having said that, I do believe in climate change which is very different from global warming. The first is proven. The latter is certainly no more than a gigantic cash cow for many, including companies touting "green energy".
Bryan Dueck <shuntforma@live.com>

I agree with Trudi, Norm and their dog: please blog and twitter more. Those of us that live lives a tad less exciting need to read about yours more often! Take good care of each other!
Connie Harms, BC

God bless you all
Anna's mother

Thanks for the new pictures and I’m glad you are on your way again. Delays no matter how pleasant are still delays to the goal. I check in every day to see what’s up. Good luck with your adventure.
Mrs. Ruth Street, Uxbridge Ontario

Hello to Capt'n Cameron and Crew! Your update to the Images File of your Website was delightful and entertaining to review. Please seriously consider a daily update, as we and we're sure all who follow you vicariously, would be grateful. Much Love to all Crew aboard and ashore.
Trudi, Norman and Gustav

Ahoy Silent Sound - greetings from Grise Fiord, here on the southern tip of Ellesmere Island in the High Arctic! Captain, your route is south of us so we will not get to share our stories with you and your crew. But I am grateful for the attention your quest brings to those of us already dealing with the effects of global warming - particularly with naysayers running amok globally. Good luck to you on your noble quest and fantastic voyage. I am following it with delight!
- Janice Anderson, Grise Fiord, Nu.

Please stop by my house for coffee when you get to Cambridge Bay, NU. It snowed all last weekend but seems to be melting today. The snow is melting off the sea ice in the bay and forming large puddles. Skidoo travel on the sea ice for hunting is still on the go. God speed
Colin Dickie 9 Mitik St. Cambridge Bay NU

John Rae was a great explorer but the fact is there is no need to go through Rae Strait when crossing the NW Passage. First to cross the NW Passage was McClure in the early 1850's through the Northern Route of the NW Passage. He accomplished the feat travelling on two boats and sledding part of the way. And he never went through Rae Strait. http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/206/301/lac-bac/explorers/www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/explorers/h24-1840-e.html This voyage of Silent Sound will not travel through the Rae Strait if they follow their proposed route outlined on the google map. There is a Northern and a Southern route through the NW Passage. This voyage is travelling the Southern Route just like Amundsen did although not his exact route. The Northern route is generally closed to non icebreakers although Henry Larsen crossed both the Southern and Northern routes in the early 1940's. On his second trip East to West he travelled through the Northern Route and went from Halifax to Vancouver in 86 days. Larsen's boat the St. Roch is in a museum in Vancouver. http://www.ucalgary.ca/arcticexpedition/larsenexpeditions
Shawn Whelan <swhelan1@sympatico.ca>

Hello Captain Cameron and Crew: Your thanks for the blessings and prayers have been passed along to Revs. Edward and Robert this AM, who continue to wish you well! On another matter, that of the subect of credit due to Dr. Rae's expeditions, it is not in dispute that others attempted, and then claimed success in finding the NW Passage before Rae did. To quote from the fly cover of the work written by Ken McGoogan "Fatal Passage" in recounting the exploits of Dr. John Rae, "... he [Rae] solved the two great Artic mysteries; the fate of the doomed Franklin expedition and the location of the final navigable link in the Northwest Passage. How could he know that such accomplishments would make him the centre of bitter controversy, bring down upon him the wrath of the formidable Lady Franklin and discredit him for years to come?" As Ken McGoogan writes, on pp.258, " The explorer who completed the discovery of the only Northwest Passage navigable by nineteeth-century ships was the nearly forgotten John Rae. He did it during his final Arctic expedition when he determined that a channel (Rae Strait) separated 'King William Land' from Boothia Peninsula. In Rae Strait, he found the final link in the Passage. He could not prove it, having no ship at his command. But he told Leopold McClintock, who relayed the message to Roald Amundsen, who finally did prove it by sailing through it in 1903-06." Efforts to clarify the record of Rae's achievement are ongoing. A most recent publicized attempt is that of the Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael who introduced a motion into UK Parliament in Mrch 2009, urging it to formally state it " regrets that memorials to Sir John Franklin outside the Admiralty headquarters and inside Westminster Abbey still inaccurately describe Franklin as the first to discover the passage, and calls on the Ministry of Defence and the Abbey authorities to take the necessary steps to clarify the true position." ... So, Captain Cameron we come to your defence... Trudi, Norman and Gustav Prelypchan
Trudi, Norman and Gustav Prelypchan <njprelypchan@hotmail.com>

Cameron and the crew, good luck to you and keep us updated !! Any chance to see some photos taken since the departure ? All the best, Olivie
Olivier <o_heurteaux@hotmail.com>

hi there t greetings and wishing all of you a safe, exciting and interesting journey..;)greetings e
eleni <ezannias@gmx.de>

..a long long hug for you, tobias! thinking of you! all the best for the trip to alaska! watch out for the bears ;-) ! *sarah
Sarah Neuberger <sarahneuberger@gmail.com>

I was raised in Alaska (Fairbanks) and spent every summer fishing in Prince William Sound. Having just finished reading Michener's "Alaska" for the first time, I can visualize your route (the first half anyway) and wish you all safe journey. My childhood memories of the time on the northern waters include many exciting and thrilling moments (enough to tell my parents many years later, "What were you thinking!!??) Only now do I know that I should have been scared. The guardian angels that were watching over us will be free for the next few months so I'll point them your way - Cheers!
Dawn Ernst <dawnmernst@yahoo.com>

To be accurate Rae was not by a longshot the first European to discover the NW Passage. W. E. Parry sailed all the way to Banks Island and back out in 1819-20. The Enterprise went all the way to Cambridge Bay from the West in the 1850's while searching for Franklin. And M'Clure sailed into the M'Clure Strait in the 1850's from the West. Froze in the ice for a couple years he was rescued by a boat from the East and received a reward for discovering the Northwest Passage. And of course Franklin was in the NW Passage long before Rae was there.
Shawn Whelan <swhelan1@sympatico.ca>

What a great prayer! I will say it each day within the next four months, thinking about you all...
Anna's Mother <elawoch@gmail.com>

Well Done you Guys and Gal! The weather has certainly been favourable for you. We are hoping it will continue for your assault on the Gulf of Alaska. Lots of good wishes from those we talk to about your Expedition. Have a good rest in Rupert and don't forget to sample the Salmon and Halibut there! Loads of Love
Trudi, Norman and Gustav <njprelypchan@hotmail.com>

Hi Cameron & SS crew, The UPS delivery to the PRRSYC was promised for Thursday, Friday at the latest. You certainly made good time to Rupert, hope it was not all motoring. Try using a double boiler for the porridge & keep the Euro crew away from the beans. They can become addicted. Fair winds, Adrian
Adrian <adrianworking@shaw.ca>

Love the latest Twitter update. It validates all of the jokes that were made in Victoria.
Tricia

I met your parents and your sister in Whistler and they told me about this FANTASTIC trip you and your folks are on... I will be following you guys and cheering for all. What wonderful way to show the world about our planet warming issue. I wish you guys ALL THE BEST!
Karina <karinaguarin@hotmail.com>

Your prop is in Prince Rupert at the yacht club.
Ian B Hansen

I got this e mail http://www.northwestpassagefilm.com
Ian B Hansen

cap'n cam, i reckon its actually harder flying 22 hours in economy to halifax from hong kong than it is for you to sail there. if you get there before me i expect you to greet me with a champagne celebration. say hi to the bears for me. see you in a few months, i'll bring some porridge and beans.
phat boy

Hello to the Captain and mighty Crew of "Silent Sound"! Well, it looks like a great and freindly 'Blow' has taken you on you're first through the night Sail. The weather seems to want to co-operate for the shake-down portion of the Voyage. May the fair and fast winds continue!
Trudi, Norman and Gustav Prelypchan <njprelypchan@hotmail.com>

Hi Crew, Hi Tobbe! Enjoy the inside passage - it is wonderful. An don´t forgt to pick up your stuff in Prince Rupert. Safe trip Vadder
Klaus <kneuberger@marwkins.com>

Brilliant! You've got the black bears scouting for anchorages for ya! And who do you think is going to be on the welcoming committee!!?
Rod Dueck <rsdueck@gmail.com>

Looks like you're making great time. We used a large, flattened tin can as a spacer so as not to burn porridge, rice, etc. Any questions, don't hesitate to write. Silent Sound re-entered Canada at Port Hardy in July 2005 and has been as far north as Glacier Bay and Juneau. Bon voyage.
Stella Holliday <silentsound2000@hotmail.com>

Hi Tobbe, hi OPECrew, I wish you a great journey up in the north. Have some nice sailing and a wonderfull trip! Alles Gute, Carsten from Niederneisen/Hahnstätten
Carsten Jansing <jansing@yahoo.com>

To Cameron and the "Silent Sound" crew. We learned of your fantastic expedition from the Toronto Star. May you have fair winds and great success in this wonderful endeavour. God speed! Allan Craig
Allan Craig <craigaj@i-zoom.net>

You guys may have already heard this but I think it fits: "One ship drives east and another drives west, With the selfsame winds that blow. 'Tis the set of the sails, and not the gales Which tells us the way to go. "Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate, As we voyage along through life: 'Tis the set of the soul which decides its goal, And not the calm or the strife." -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox (Poet, 1850-1919) Godspeed to you! -Doug
Doug Smith <dsmith@bis.midco.net>

We're following your progress with keen interest. We finally figured out your time reporting being UTC! Seen any Orcas? Martha Stewart has a new recipe for Shipboard Porridge, Captain Cameron. You'll find it on her website... just kidding. We're sure we couldn't do any better ourselves. Buckets of love, Trudi, Norman and Gus
Trudi and Norman Prelypchan <njprelypchan@hotmail.com>

Congrats Cam and Silent Sound Crew on your historic Open Passage embarkation . The OPS-Water Rescue/Recovery guys thanks your for getting the RT-V-SAR Tool back in time for their Swift Water extrication training & wish you safe passage...Cheers! Patrick/Ottawa
Patrick Kelly <pkelly42@sympatico.ca>

Hope all is well. Media keep calling, have already heard from some who will be following your entire journey.
Tricia

Good luck Cameron and crew! I wish i could have been there with you! i was attending a wedding on your big day, also Swedens national day, so it was a special day in many ways! Cheers!
Elin

Hi Cameron,Hanns,Tobias & Anna, I'm a LINC teacher in Mississauga. Today we read about your incredible voyage. We love the idea. Have a safe trip. We're thinking of you. Anna and the LINC Students
Anna Czarniawska Strader <annastrader@hotmail.com>

hi tobbe, du alte teufelshapune... ich wünsche dir eine wunderschöne & spannende reise ! wir sehn uns bald im wald... kannste mein staub fressen... beste grüße, M*
Marlon <m.beck@wpro.de>

Franklin's journeys attracted much attention to the likes of Sir Frederick Banting. I hope you can do likewise and get some good photo's for us all to share. Having been to YK NWT for several journeys I hope yours will bring you similiar comfort in your old age. Watching and praying. J.D.B
Janet Bowman <janbowman_2000@yahoo.com>

I am really looking forward to your insight on this exciting voyage and possibly, for the opportunity to witness a fresh chapter of northern discovery and history being written.
Pat Lyon-McIndoo <patriciaclyon@hotmail.com>

Hi Crew Good Luck and God speed on this wonderful journey accross Canadas North.
Anthony Turnbull <mrsports@rogers.com>

Good luck on the journey guys. I look forward to hearing about the status of the ice caps, and if we really are as "doomed" as al gore thinks we are. History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes. Same applies to weather fluctuation. Enjoy
Pentti Paivio <austin_shagweed@hotmail.com>

Just read about your expedition in the Toronto Star. You're embarking on a truly worthwhile adventure. I'll definitely be following along. Good luck to you all.
Pawel <pawelmilczarek@yahoo.ca>

Our crew from "FLOII",27 ft power cruiser from Georgian Bay wish you the best of sailing.What an adventure!
Gord Profit <gordo@live.ca>

All the very best to the crew. Make sure every hour is a "happy hour" and enjoy the advenrure.
Tony Foulkes <sycheckmate@yahoo.com>

Have a safe and remarkable journey.From all the staff of save on foods Saanich 977.
Rod <hot-rod-y@hotmail>

Hi Tobbe, wishing you and the rest of the crew a great time. Save travels and healthy return! De Klee sagt hallo ;) Liebe Grüße von Fritz und mir
Julia & Fritz <migkar@web.de>

Ania,"got up early" to chyba cos nowego dla ciebie...Dzisiaj rano na Mszy Sw.polecilam cala wasza wyprawe Bozej opiece. Do szczesliwego zobaczenia w Halifax! Trzymaj sie...
Mama <elawoch@gmail.com>

I'll be watching for your transit through BC's Gulf Islands, where I live now, and my thoughts and good wishes will be with you until you arrive in the Maritimes, where I grew up. Fair Winds, and Plenty of Them!
Christian Nally <info@sticksallison.com>

all the best as you embark on the journey of a lifetime! looking forward to hearing about all the adventure.
Chad and Kelsey <kelseybreanne@gmail.com>

Hi Cam, Just a little note to let you know we're following your adventure with great interest and our prayers are with you all. May you have a safe trip and truly enjoy this venture.
Henry & Betty Harms <jetlag@mts.net>

I was unaware of this incredible journey until I met you buying food at Save On Foods in Victoria. I am excited that you invited me to follow your path, and wish you all the best. I look forward to the end result. Take care and God Bless. Michele Rooke, Cobble Hill, BC
Michele Rooke <mmrooke@shaw.ca>

Hi Cam! Well by now you are only a few hours away from leaving on yuor big adventure! Something that was a dream is now reality!Hats off to making your dream come true. Mom would be so proud of you if she were here today.There is no doubt in my mind that she will be wwatching over you and smiling as she see you succeed! Wish I could be there to see you off! I pray that you will continue to seek the advice of your captain above! I love you and wish you all the best!!!
Cheryl Kovacs <ckovacsseven@hotmail.com>

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