On June 4 I received word that my application for a permit to transit Russia’s Northern Sea Route Area (NSRA) has been approved.  The permit allows me independent navigation in ice-free waters in all 28 “water areas” of the NSRA except 21 (not relevant to my intended route). The permit is valid from August 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

To make the most of the time allowed, I will try to cross the western boundary of the NSRA at Cape Zhelaniya as early in August as possible, leaving me the maximum amount time to make it through to Baffin Bay before the Northwest Passage starts to re-freeze in October.

I left Chesapeake Bay yesterday sailing northeast to my circumnavigation departure point at St. John’s, Newfoundland.