- A first : navigating the north-west passage by sailboat alone

Babouche, a new philosophy in ice navigation

Around 100 years ago, Amundsen became the first person to cross the NW Passage on Gjöa, a mixed boat, with both sails and a motor. Others have successfully navigated the NW Passage by boat. However, these sailors used heavy, motorized boats which push or break the ice unlike Babouche, a light-weight and easily maneuverable craft designed to mount and slide on the ice. Babouche can pass from the water to the ice and vis versa, as necessary.

A challenge

Navigating the Northwest Passage by sail alone requires vast knowledge in several domains. For instance, resourcefulness and improvisational skills are necessary in order to successfully complete the passage, especially when considering the navigational, technical, personal and physical dangers associated with such a project.
With his previous experience in charters, races and raids, Sébastien has proven that he possesses and masters these skills. Today, he is once again ready to face such a challenge and use them.

- Navigating respecting ethical choices

Respect for the environment

The purpose of this challenge is to sensitize the public with the ecological problems related to
the climatic change : a sailing boat crossing for the first time this passage without engine is a
strong image. This image does the opposite of the use of this maritime route like commercial route.

The mediatization of this area by the realization of a human and sporting adventure must allow to underline its extreme abundance, its great brittleness and thus the need for preserving it :
- No motor or gasoil
- Complete autonomy: with renewable resources (solar and wind-power)
- No noise pollution
- No material pollution: waste will be conserved on board, no antifouling.

Participating in environmental research

In collaboration with French and Canadian researchers, we are ready to set up a series
of tests of analysis of the polar biosphere :
- Studies of the polar seas
- Study weather during the polar summer
- Study of the ices
- Study of the birds and the marine mammals

Navigating with simple equipment

A GPS, automatic pilot, no radar. «...I'm all for technology, as long as it doesn't prevent navigation... With a simple boat andminimal equipment, we can travel great distances and complete large projects...»

- Participating in medical research

In collaboration with the University of Montpellier and Besançon, Sébastien and this team will undergo resistance tests :

• Study on the food adapted to the polar raids
• Resistance to the cold and the stress
• Study on the sleep during the polar summer
• Acclimatization of the body in polar forwarding

- To take part in teaching pedagogic

We wish to sensitize the young people with the importance of the polar areas and the climatic upheavals.

Within the team, we can count on competences of Eric André, teacher. We set up a follow-up near colleges and universities.

Sebastien devoted 1 year to the design and construction of Babouche, his ice catamaran, for the realization of this project.
He used all his technical skills. He also has shown willpower, drive, pugnacity and commitment. He has demonstrated all of these qualities in the past.

"That which keeps a crazy project from being a reckless one"

- Characteristics of the boat

Babouche is a sailing boat specially designed for this project, no detail was not forgotten:
- impact resistance and lightness: use of kevlar and carbon
- insubmersibility: foam hulls
- handiness: design of fixed skis under the hulls and skis of direction under the saffrons + installation of a winch which will be used as winch to hoist the boat out of water.
- The tender or the survival sled: conceived by Sebastien, it will allow, in the event of abandonment of the boat, to carry several months of provisions and materials for an active
survival.
The handiness and lightness of the boat will enable him to be protected from the bad possible

Conditions while taking refuge on the ice or the coast.

- Skills of the team members

Sébastien's abilities have already been outlined, but it must be specified that the crew was chosen for their expertise as well as for the special characteristics of each zone.

- Research project and analysis of the condition of the ice

- From Cape Barrow to Herschel Island

From the 16/07 to the 30/07
The boat's shallow draught will allow us to navigate close to the coast.
The ice isn't very thick and melts more quickly due to water run-off.
P.S : one ice zone melts less quickly to the west of Herschel Island.
Style of the ice  : between 1 and 4/10, thick first year ice with the presence of old ice.

- From Herschel Island to Roi-Guillaume Island

From the 31/07 to the 15/08
This zone, with little ice, will allow for rapid navigation even though there is little wind.

- From Roi-Guillaume Island to the Gulf of Boothia

From the 16/08 to the 27/08
Alot of drifting ice may force us to contour Roi Guillaume Island by the South. Then, we'll head towards the North along the coast, which will allow us to shelter ourselves from the numerous compression zones and the possibility of strong winds.
Style of ice : between 1 and 5/10, first year ice with the presence of old ice. The thickness ranges from 30cm to 1m20.

-Crossing the Gulf of Boothia

From the 28/08 to the 09/09
We'll head towards Baffin Island and follow the Southern coast because the dominant winds from the north push away the ice from the coast.
Style of ice : between 1 and 8/10, first year ice with the presence of old ice. The thickness ranges from 30cm to 1m20.

- From the gulf of Boothia to the Foxe bassin.

From the 10/09 to the 19/09
Delicate and pristine passage ; Only open a few days per year (around the 10/09)
There is a risk that the boat may have to be towed.
Style of ice : between 3 and 9/10, first year ice with the presence of old ice.

- Weather coverage

Regular contact with a router weather professional.