59° North Sailing · video

What this video covers

Matt Rutherford is currently sailing his Valiant 42 solo across the Arctic, navigating toward the Northern Sea Route above Siberia.6:16 As he approaches Russian waters, he faces the loss of Starlink connectivity, which is restricted within 12 miles of Russian territory.9:03 To maintain mandatory daily check-ins with Moscow, he relies on an Iridium Certus satellite terminal, noting that while it is faster than older Iridium models, it remains inefficient for internet use.10:35 Rutherford reports encountering pack ice and heavy weather, including a 60-hour period spent hove-to north of Svalbard to avoid a low-pressure system.14:47 He monitors ice conditions closely, noting that while this is a record-low ice year in parts of the Arctic, the route remains hazardous due to uncharted shoaling and unpredictable ice movement.51:07 He maintains a strict schedule for communication and navigation, prioritizing fuel conservation for the remainder of his passage.18:43

Boats in this video

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