This article is from page 22 of the 2005-09-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
ON August 28, the Northabout en- tered the Kara Sea when it received a call to join up with a convoy of ice- breakers. The convoy is being led by the nuclear powered ‘Soviet Soyusk’. Using her high-powered air-jets, it breaks a channel through the ice pack that surrounds Cape Chelyskin.
After successfully navigating a path through the treacherous ice, it is time for a deserved break. The crew stop
off at White Island, a low-lying piece of land that lies off the Yamal Penin- sula. A wildlife haven, the island is home to reindeer, muskox and geese.
From there, it was onto Dickson. A desolate, fogbound village on the Yenesi River. The crew use the stop to fill up on diesel and water. Despite Dicksons’ inhospitable appearance, the cafe bar welcomes the lads with a bit of a session.
The following day, the crew set of fagain. Progress down the Yenesi
river was made difficult by thick fog. There was also the danger of meet- ing one of the many freight vessels that use to route to travel to and from the mines in Norlisk. Thankfully, the journey passed without incident.
The weather is calm as the Northa- bout prepares to pass Novaya Zemlya on September |. The next stop is Mu- ramask which is 800 miles away. But its time to batten down the hatches, with the boat expected to encounter fierce gales in the coming week.