Safety

We understand that the night is dark and full of terrors, yet we chose to go anyway.

Safety is paramount. Before we cast off, we will have practiced our “man overboard” drills and our VHF distress calls. Joy and I both know well how to operate the boat, not just in calm conditions, but also in a gale.

Everyone knows how to swim and the boat is well-equipped for any foreseeable danger. Each of us has a GPS-enabled PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) clipped to our life vests and the boat is equipped with an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). Simply push the button on either a PLB or the EPIRB and an SOS is transmitted, along with our location to the nearest authority.

The OG also sports an AIS Class-B transponder, which broadcasts our location to all commercial traffic, greatly reducing the chance of open water collision. We also carry a 4-person life raft, coastguard-approved flairs and the requisite VHF radios.

Every reasonable step has been taken to keep the boat and her crew safe. In fact, the OG is likely “overkill” for the this trip, especially as transformed by the coronavirus. Indeed, if the intent was to cross the northwest passage, the OG is/was the perfect choice.