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An Insider's Take on the Inside Passage

Tackling this fabled west coast circuit can be intimidating. but with a well-planned itinerary, sound boat, good crew — and these expert tips — it’s heaven on earth..

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The Inside Passage up the West Coast is one of those bucket-list trips for many American and Canadian boaters. At more than 1,000 miles end to end, the network of passages that weave through the islands of the Pacific Northwest to Alaska contains a lifetime of places to explore. The Passage begins to the south at Olympia, Washington, in Puget Sound, then snakes its way north through more than 600 miles of Canada's British Columbia before winding through the southeast Alaska panhandle from Ketchikan, past Juneau, all the way north to Skagway.

 Tracy Arm fjord, located south of Juneau, offers breathtaking views including waterfalls, sheer rock walls, icebergs, and a variety of wildlife, such as black bears. (Photos: Christine Smith)

The scenery is astonishing. This is a place of stark beauty and amazing contrasts. There are stunning high-sided fjords in the north sections with tidewater glaciers, miles upon miles of conifer-covered shorelines with secluded anchorages that include views of snow-capped mountains, remote fishing villages, and to the south, even a few big cities. There is wildlife everywhere: whales feeding in quiet passages, bears wandering along the beach, bald eagles perched in trees along the shore. Bring a wildlife guide, because the volume and variety of species are plentiful.

Killer whales are a common sight, most often between early May and early June, but may be spotted through September. (Photo: Christine Smith)

Best of all, it's almost entirely in protected waters, so is suitable for boats of any size within reason. The boating season in the region runs from early March through late October, and some boaters even cruise the southern sections in the winter. When it comes to boaters and bucket lists, these are cruising grounds that, once checked off, prompt an immediate urge to return. So, before you head north to Alaska, here are some simple tips that my wife, Christine, and I have developed, after completing this passage from Bellingham, Washington, all the way to southeast Alaska every charter season for several years aboard our 1929 converted 65-foot wood cannery tug.

10 Firsthand Tips To Make Your Own Inside Passage Cruise Safer And More Enjoyable:

1. have a reliable shoreside contact..

A reliable shoreside contact is a must-have for Inside Passage cruisers.

This is hardly a full-time job, but someone to answer your texts or other communications, receive packages and ship them on to you, or occasionally pass on a weather report, is invaluable. Mostly, it's nice to know you have a contact person, and it may only cost you flowers and a bottle of wine.

2. Get a satellite texting device.

There isn't cellphone coverage for much of the Inside Passage, so these little devices allow you to send and receive a short text message from anywhere. We use a Garmin inReach (about $300), but it's also available from SPOT. Not only can you contact people, you can have it track you so others can see where you are and know you're OK. More than once, my sister has checked in on us because we hadn't moved for a day or two. (We were fine.) We now carry two and use the other in our skiff for exploring and shore excursions. In some of the high-sided fjords, VHF is useless, but the inReach comes through.

3. Sign up to be a "Known Shipper" with Alaska Airlines.

This little detail can save you tons of hassle. Alaska Airlines has a fantastic air-cargo system called Goldstreak that you can use to get parts (or almost anything else) shipped in case of a breakdown. Even if you have to hire a local to do the repair, being able to get the parts can mean the difference between being stuck at a dock for days or continuing on.

Our system is to buy the part/piece/ equipment and have it overnighted to our shoreside person. We've even done this via the inReach. She takes it to the airport, and we get it later the next day. You may never need this, but it only takes a few minutes to sign up , although it takes a while to get approved.

In the southern half of the British Columbia coast, Kenmore Air offers floatplane passenger service to a number of locations. It's also able to transport boat parts, so if you're broken down in that area, the company can help. Because of the international border, there are some simple requirements: It can only transport "emergency boat parts to U.S.-registered vessels in distress" in its northern service areas (Campbell River and the Northern Inside Passage). Make sure your shoreside person can provide Kenmore with a receipt or invoice showing its value, too, because Canadian Customs (CBSA) will require it for all items, new or refurbished.

4. Get a good tide and current guide.

The tidal rapids in the southern section of the Inside Passage can cause anxiety among first-time cruisers, but they're surprisingly easy if you show up at the right time, at slack water. And while most electronic navigation programs will have the times of slack and max, the paper guide will confirm it for you, and give you peace of mind. There are lots of choices for a paper guide. We use Ports and Passes even though it's available on our Navionics, OpenCPN, and Coastal Explorer. Once you know the time of slack water, plan so you arrive a little early and you can go right through. If you're going in the direction of the tide, that's the perfect accelerator; use it to your advantage by positioning yourself at the right time.

5. Get the right guidebooks.

People fret a lot about what to buy. There are so many choices of cruising guides. There are numerous guides for sections of the trip, the San Juans, the Broughtons, the Secret Coast, and so on. But the guides that cover the most area with the most information are the "Exploring" books: Exploring the South Coast of B.C. , Exploring the North Coast of B.C., and Exploring Southeast Alaska . They also offer the best picture of cruising in this area. For wildlife guides, you'll want The Sibley Guide to Birds, Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, and Nature of Southeast Alaska .

6. Don't get too stressed about spares.

Trying to figure out what to bring for spares stresses out a lot of first-time Inside Passage cruisers. Alaska and the B.C. coast are well stocked, and even if you need something and can't get it locally, you should be able to have it air freighted to you. Focus on parts that break or clog or wear out, like rubber impellers, fuel filters, and engine belts. Things you could fix by yourself in a remote wilderness anchorage are useful. A box of oil filters takes up precious space, even if they are cheaper in the lower 48.

Things To Remember If You Go:

• Bring fishing and/or crabbing gear. It's some of the best salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab fishing in the world. (You'll want to get your fishing licenses online beforehand. For Alaska waters, go to adfg.alaska.gov and select Fishing>Licenses & Permits. For Canadian waters, go to pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca and select Fisheries>Recreational Fishing>British Columbia Recreational Fishing.)
• Bring foulies and warm clothes. The weather can be wet, and temperatures get mighty chilly as you approach glaciers.
• Make a point of visiting the small towns along the way. They are interesting and welcoming. You'll learn a lot about local history and indigenous people, and you'll get a real taste of the rugged folks who choose to live in this remote wilderness.
• Be aware of the many large cruise ships in the area. Not only are they intimidating, their wakes are large and sometimes bounce off narrow passages, and they can roll your boat for a surprisingly long time. Try to keep items carefully stowed as if you were going to sea so you'll be ready when you encounter them.
• Don't count on much sailing. Winds are often nonexistent or light from the north, or strong southeasterly with uncomfortable seas.
• If it's possible, anchor pretty far from shore and bring bug spray. The bugs aren't usually bad, but when they are, the mosquitoes are Alaska-sized.
• You'll want some bear spray , which is sold all along the route and is very effective for defusing an aggressive bear encounter. It's what the Alaska guides use, plus, it's legal to carry through Canada. (Handguns are not.)
• Carry a lot of anchor rode and be prepared to anchor in a lot of really deep places. A reel of small line is useful for adding a stern tie to a tree on the beach, a common anchoring practice in deep harbors. Some of the most beautiful anchorages are 50- to 100-feet deep.
• You'll encounter many whales. The laws say to not bring your boat within 100 yards (100 meters in Canada) and more in some areas, and you'll get a much longer show if you watch from a distance and don't disturb the animals.

— Charles Fort

7. Carry a good emergency kit for boat repairs.

Most people know about softwood plugs or TruPlug that you can use to stop a leak in an emergency. But my kit contains a few other items that have been helpful at times. Dr. Shrink Tape is amazing stuff that sticks to absolutely everything and can make a quick patch of a crack in your topsides or a leaky skylight or hatch. It may not be pretty, but it will allow you to continue cruising in comfort. A product called Through the Roof is a great sealant that works even in the rain (we've even used it underwater). A can of spray foam and a couple tubes of 3M 5200 (get the toothpaste- tube style) are also worth carrying. Also, add some super glue to the list.

8. Check on your insurance.

Most boat insurance policies have limits for where you can take your boat and still be insured. Insurance through BoatUS covers people with a U.S. address while they're cruising in Alaska, and you can get a seasonal extension for Canada. You typically need to ask for an extension, and sometimes there's an additional charge. If it's based on a latitude and you plan to cruise the entire Inside Passage, make sure you choose 59° 27.0N (Skagway, Alaska). Most other companies offer similar coverage. Towing is usually included, even in Canada. But a quick email to your company would confirm that you're covered for the area you want to cruise.

9. Take the boat you've got.

No matter what size or age of vessel, you're still going to watch the weather and navigate based on your craft. Also, a boat you're familiar with is going to be less stressful to cruise in than a new-to-you boat. Your voyage should be about exploring, seeing the scenery, and learning about wildlife along the way. If you don't have a boat, there are many options like bareboat chartering with a cruising in company flotilla offered by Northwest Explorations and others. There are also several good options for smaller chartering opportunities on crewed charter boats.

10. Take enough time to do it right.

There's nothing worse than having to rush home without seeing as much as you'd hoped, or skipping beautiful spots because of time constraints. Being in a rush is also a good way to force you to make bad weather decisions. Six weeks is the very absolute minimum, and 12 to 18 weeks would really allow you to immerse yourselves. If you have other summer commitments, you can always leave your boat and fly out, returning when your outside commitments are done. Take as long as you possibly can. Trust me on this. Take your boat and go.

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Jeffrey Smith

Contributor, BoatUS Magazine

Jeffrey Smith has been captain or mate on many types of boats and ships in waterways from coast to coast. He and his wife, Christine, share the summer beauty of tidewater glaciers with their charter guests aboard the restored 1929 motor vessel.

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Inside Passage Yacht Charters

Cruise the inside passage with jamal charters.

The Inside Passage extends from northwestern Washington through western British Columbia, up to southeastern Alaska. Experience incredible scenery and wildlife in this remote region with the flexibility of your own chartered yacht!

The Inside Passage is an amazing location to charter the Jamal for just about any occasion! From your own custom luxury vacation cruise (and maybe a little whale watching), special events including weddings and birthday parties, to business events including corporate retreats and company meetings.

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Alaska Inside Passage: What to Do and See

Each year, travelers and explorers head to Southeast Alaska to bask in the natural wonderland. Home to hundreds of rugged islands, stunning glaciers , and beautiful intact rainforests, the Southeast is a playground for outdoor adventurers.

But one of the region’s best-kept secrets is the natural waterway – the Inside Passage – that stretches for 500 miles, from Ketchikan in the south to Skagway in the north.

The Inside Passage is a favorite destination for yacht charters in Alaska , cruises, and ferries, and the reason is simple. The all-water route is protected by a network of sprawling coastal islands; this creates ideal sailing conditions. In fact, the waters are so calm in the summer, you feel more like a placid lake than open ocean.

Bottom line, the Inside Passage is the ultimate destination for a vacation, cruise, or yacht charter in Alaska.

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise: Yacht Charters in Alaska

Alaska’s Inside Passage offers some of the best cruising grounds in North America. That’s thanks to the vast protected ocean channel that runs for more than 500 miles. To the west, you’ll find dozens of rugged islands, like Admiralty Island, one of the largest islands in the United States and a refuge for the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. To the east, is mainland Alaska, which hugs the Coast Mountains that rise and serves as a beautiful backdrop.

Ultimately, the Passage is a superb cruising destination for a yacht charter or sailing vacation. Here are a few reasons why:

• Excellent Cruising Conditions – The massive barrier islands completely protect the Passage. This creates smooth-as-butter cruise conditions. The waters are placid, much more like a slow-moving river than open ocean. In other words, it’s a perfect destination for people who get easily seasick.
• Great Network of Towns – There are dozens of amazing towns and port cities along the passage, from Juneau, Alaska’s capital, to roughed outposts like Wrangell. That makes it great for multi-day charters and cruises.
• Stunning Natural Beauty – A cruise or yacht charter in the Passage gives you a front-row seat to the region’s natural beauty. From lingering sunsets, and sprawling glaciers, to orca whale watching, and temperate rainforest hikes, travelers have a lot to explore in one of the world’s best-protected ecosystems.
• A Variety of Itineraries – Southeast Alaska offers an experience for every traveler. In the north near Glacier Bay National Park , experience dozens of sparkling glaciers. Or experience supreme isolation and the rugged beauty of the barrier islands at Misty Fjords or Tracy Arm.

Alaska Inside Passage Towns: Where to Go

The Inside Passage is home to dozens of small communities, each with its own unique flair. From quaint fishing villages to the museums and crab shacks of Juneau, you’ll find a range of experiences in Southeast Alaska. Some of the region’s most unique destinations include:

• Juneau – The region’s most populated city – with about 35,000 year-round residents – is a hub for visitors in the region. Located in the northern part of the Passage, Juneau is a launch-off point for Glacier Bay cruises and trips to the barrier islands. Here, you’ll be able to explore the area’s rich culture – from indigenous art and history museums to incredible seafood.
• Ketchikan – Ketchikan is the self-proclaimed “Gateway to Alaska.” Located at the southern entrance to Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan is a favorite destination for whale watching trips, to explore the history, or for the rainforests in Misty Fjords.
• Sitka – Located near Juneau, Sitka is an important fishing hub for the area, and well-known for its unique blend of Native and Russian history. The Russian Church in Sitka is a must-see sight.
• Petersburg – Known as Alaska’s “Little Norway,” Petersburg is a charming coastal fishing village, which was founded by Norwegian fishermen in 1910. Today, the town’s picturesque waterfront.
• Wrangell – Wrangell is tucked away in the heart of the Island Passage, and can only be accessible by boat or plane. Visitors flock here to experience wildlife; glaciers, the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory, and Petroglyph Beach are all nearby must-sees.
• Skagway – The northern terminus of the Inside Passage is Skagway, a city rich in Gold Rush era history. Get a taste of the town’s mining past with a visit to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or on a trip aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
• Hoonah – This small village is situated near the Icy Strait, a stunning natural wonderland and one of the best whale watching destinations in Alaska. Just 35 miles west of Juneau, Hoonah is a must-visit for wildlife viewing, hiking and ziplining.
• Elfin Cove – Elfin Cove is an isolated outpost – no motorized traffic, and just 200 summer residents – that serves as one of the summer’s best fishing destinations. Head here for excellent halibut, King salmon and rockfish fishing.
• Tenakee Springs – Located on the southern coast of Chichagof Island, Tenakee Springs is a historical fishing village. Today, visitors stop in here to refresh and revitalize in the natural springs located nearby.

Alaska Inside Passage Tours: What to Do

Photo opportunities, adventure, and excellent fishing await in every port of call and seaside village in the Inside Passage. There’s just so much to see and do; you’d need a lifetime to explore all that it has to offer. Some of the best experiences include:

• Tongass National Forest – Encompassing nearly 17 million acres, Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest forest, and one of the world’s most intact temperate rainforests. Tongass offers it all: Amazing hiking, wildlife viewing (especially brown and black bear, bald eagle and whales), ATV tours, waterfall explorations and much more.
• Misty Fjords National Monument – The 2-million-acre section of Tongass known as Misty Fjords is an adventurers’ dream. Known for its towering waterfalls, excellent sea kayaking, and hiking. Just 40 miles from Ketchikan, this is a must-stop on an Inside Passage charter or cruise.
• Tracy Arm Fjord – Near Juneau, you’ll find Tracy Arm Fjord, a natural oasis known for its glaciers, whale watching and sheer mile-high rock walls.
• Glacier Bay National Park – A northern terminus of the Passage, Glacier Bay is an amazing destination for glacier viewing (with several here to see), as well as whale watching. Harbor seals, grey whales, orcas and humpbacks are found in abundance during the summer months.
• Ketchikan Totems – The salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan, is also rich in Native history. Come here to see the Totem Heritage Center, where you’ll find the largest collection of 19 th -Century totem poles anywhere in the world.
• Fishing – The Inside Passage is one of the world’s most revered fishing destinations. Salmon, halibut and rockfish are found in abundance during the summer fishing season. You’ll also find excellent seafood in almost any port.
• Helicopter Tours – Explore the region’s rainforests and glaciers by helicopter. You’ll find world-class helicopter and seaplane tours in Juneau, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay.

Alaska Inside Passage Glaciers: Natural Wonders to See

A trip to the Inside Passage wouldn’t be complete without experiencing glaciers up-close. The icy-blue crags are a photographer’s dream and offer great opportunities for ice climbing, wildlife viewing, and more. Some must-see glaciers include:

• Mendenhall Glacier: Located near Juneau, Mendenhall is a must-see in the Juneau Ice Field.
• Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve – At more than 3 million acres, Glacier Bay is home to more than 1,000 glaciers, including Margerie Glacier, Johns Hopkins Glacier, and Muir Glacier.
• Tracy Arm Fjord – The fjord offers lots to see and do. But be sure to see the two tidewater Sawyer Glaciers, known for their distinctive icy blue color.
• LeConte Bay – This beautiful bay is home to incredible towering glaciers, known for its amazing sea kayaking. Some of the best include LeConte Glacier, Summit Glacier and Shakes Glacier.

Explore the Natural Beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage

Bottom line: Alaska’s Inside Passage offers a world of adventure for travelers. One of the last great wildernesses in the world, the Inside Passage offers respite and relaxation, away from the modern world. In short, if you’re thinking about your next cruising vacation destination, consider the stunning and rugged Inside Passage. It’s a life-altering experience.

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Inside Passage Yacht Sales LLC

• 902 31st Street Anacortes WA 98221
• (360) 468-4997
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North American dealer for cargo boats, Pacific Northwest dealer, parker boats, eagle craft boats, and brix boats. Certified glide coat installers, Yamaha outboard dealer

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Classic yacht MV Discovery

Alaska inside passage cruises & luxury yacht charters

Wildlife viewing at its best on an intimate small ship cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage aboard the charter yacht MV Discovery

There is no better way to see Alaska’s Inside Passage than on a small boat cruise. Swap the crowds and T-shirt shops that you’ll see on the big cruise ships for the peace and solitude that is the real Alaska. Catch Salmon and Halibut, walk in magical rain forests, spend time with the graceful Humpback Whale, watch Brown Bear feeding on spawning Salmon, visit Sea Lion Rookeries, watch Eagles soar and glaciers calve and return home with a better understanding of the world we share.

8 Day 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage Explorer Charter the yacht or join a mixed group cruise of like minded adventurers!

Discovery’s 8 Day 7 Night small ship adventure cruises let you experience Alaska’s stunning scenery and wildlife up close and personal. These trips combine a whale watching tour, bear and wildlife viewing with some of Alaska’s most magnificent fjords and glaciers. Bring your camera and get your boots on. Whether you are eight years old or eighty our small ship cruises are designed for all ages and abilities. For individuals and couples we offer mixed group cruises that attract like minded, adventurous people and the atmosphere on board is one of easy camaraderie. Alaska yacht charters can be customized for private groups, family gatherings, friends, photography and travel clubs who really enjoy these adventures cruises.

Whale Watching

Hiking & Bear Viewing

Fjords & Glaciers

Experience Alaska for yourself!

Contact us via this website or visit

Discovery’s Alaska Small Ship Cruises

www.alaskacharters.com

Captain Ben Swanson

206 406 7288

[email protected]

Follow our journey

Classic Yacht Discovery

CATERING OPTIONS

Formal or casual. Catering options are available for all occasions and budgets.

When not in Alaska ‘Discovery’ is moored in Seattle. Please contact us if you would like to view the yacht. Inspections are welcome.

  Southcentral & Southeast Alaska Small Ship CruiseS

~ an all-inclusive adventure ~, whale watching ~ glacier viewing ~ wildlife viewing ~ sea kayaking ~ fine dining.

ADVENTURE CRUISING ABOARD THE CLASSIC YACHT SEA STAR

North Pacific Expeditions is a small, family-owned business focused on helping you have the best Alaska experience. We offer friendly and generous hospitality and professional personalized service on all adventure yacht charters.  Our vessel Sea Star is lovingly maintained, charmingly outfitted and ready to safely navigate the channels, coves and fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound in Southcentral Alaska. We take you to areas that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships!  

Welcome Aboard Alaska's Ultimate Small Ship Cruise Adventure!

Our excursions also take you through the historic Alaska Inside Passage which weaves through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North America. The route extends from northwestern Washington State in the United States, through western British Columbia in Canada, to southeastern Alaska in the United States with stops in Ketchikan, Petersburg and at Sitka.    

Southcentral Alaska Cruises

Prince William Sound    Kenai Fjords National Park

Southeast Alaska Cruise

Inside Passage - Alaska Marine Highway

Availability and Rates            Reservations and Inquiries

Alaska - The Last Frontier

Yacht sea star, an alaska small ship cruise journey of a lifetime,       what’s on your bucket list.

• Witnessing an ancient and mighty glacier calving in Alaska’s Prince William Sound or on the Kenai Peninsula
• Getting up close with breaching humpback whales, curious sea otters or foraging black bears (from a safe and proper distance!)
• Exploring the rugged and ragged Alaska coastline including the Kenai Peninsula and Kenai Fjords National Park
• Voyaging the Inside Passage, poking into coves and remote towns along the way
• Watching the sun rise and set from the privacy of your own secluded cove, with only eagles and seals to keep you company
• Enriching your life as you sail through the beautiful coastal waters of the Alaska

Join NORTH PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS for a journey of a lifetime on an unforgettable small ship Alaska coastal cruise!

Why small ship adventure cruising?

• Get away from the crowds of larger cruise ships as you experience your own extraordinary Alaska adventure
• Create your best and most personal cruise experience, including a flexible schedule of your chosen activities both on and off the boat
• Delve into the smaller, sometimes hidden, coves and inlets often inaccessible to the larger cruise ships
• Avoid the hidden expenses often found on large private luxury yacht charters
• Make lasting connections with your fellow passengers as you explore Alaska together
• Connect with the crew to learn more about Sea Star and even participate in ship activities
• Explore Alaska in a space where quiet, quality and attention to detail really do matter

Trip Highlights

• All-inclusive, week-long small ship adventure cruises and charters for up to 12 guests. There is NO extra cost for activities, excursions or gourmet food/beer/wine while aboard Sea Star.
• Flexible scheduling of a broad array of activities to include wildlife and glacier viewing, birding, guided sea kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, photography and more!
• Fresh and locally sourced ingredients used to create the finest and most delicious cuisine for your enjoyment (tailored to meet your dietary needs). We also source the finest Pacific Northwest wine and beer.
• Relax in one of Sea Star’s four comfortable cabins, each with private en suite bathroom and screened porthole windows, or enjoy the many communal lounging areas available throughout this graceful classic yacht.
• Explore the remote and beautiful waterways of southcentral Alaska’s Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park or the intimate waterways of southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage.
• Enjoy the pure pristine wilderness of Alaska in a way that stimulates your senses and soothes your soul.
• Come join us aboard Sea Star for an Alaska small cruise ship adventure that leaves you with lasting memories!

***  We also provide a special 3-day, nonstop Alaska/Canada Inside Passage small ship adventure cruise between Seattle, Washington, and the town of Ketchikan in southeast Alaska. This cruise continues on to Petersburg before finally ending in Sitka, Alaska. Our Inside Passage voyage offers a unique and memorable small ship cruise adventure for anyone wanting to the Alaska Marine Highway. This route is also perfect for those looking to gain navigational experience through challenging Pacific Northwest coastal waters. ***

Publications and Periodicals

The following publications contain articles about North Pacific Expeditions and the adventures aboard  Sea Star i n Alaska!

Article Title: Frontier of Firsts

Power & motor yacht, march 2022, frontier of firsts - power & motor yacht article (pdf).

Article Title: KENAI KINGDOM

Northwest yachting, august 2019, kenai kingdom - northwest yachting article (pdf), (on the cover - sea star in front of northwestern glacier).

Article Title: Cruising the Kenai: Alaska Small Ship Adventure Cruising

Harbors magazine, nov/dec 2018, click here -- to read harbors magazine article (pdf), article title: checking out the newest offering from alaska travel industry, anchorage daily news, nov/dec 2018, click here --- to read anchorage daily news article (website).

Take a journey of a lifetime and make lasting memories on a spectacular Alaska glacier and coastal cruise!

Steller Sea Lions - Egg Rock in Prince William Sound

 ~~ R econnect with nature and stir your sense of wonder! ~~

Sea Otters enjoying the moment in Prince William Sound

 Join North Pacific Expeditions on t he ultimate last frontier small ship cruise in Alaska's Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords!

Testimonials

I cannot tell you or express in words how much we enjoyed this opportunity - I've never been in such peaceful, raw beauty, and so remote before.  To think this was just a piece of what Alaska is.  My favorites were watching Bear, the fish in the stream, getting out in the dingy boat and the beautiful moon over crystal clear glass water;  and oh yes, the BIG  calving  glaciers!!   

Annene R.    Phoenix,  AZ     P.S. Your crew was pretty amazing too.

Permits and Certifications

North Pacific Expeditions and its crew holds the following permits and certifications:

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Inside Passage Yacht Sales Announces New Partnership with Custom Builders BRIX Marine and EagleCraft

BRIX Marine is excited to announce a new partnership with Inside Passage Yacht Sales (IPYS) and EagleCraft. This partnership will connect boaters in the Puget Sound to BRIX’s signature recreational catamarans and EagleCraft’s premium cruiser collection. IPYS will apply their personalized, industry leading sales service to represent the two portfolios, which range from 29’ to 43’. This portfolio access will give them an inside scoop on the latest trends in aluminum luxury vessels.

The partnership gives IPYS buyers first-class access to the best of EagleCraft and BRIX Marine’s recreational line-up, bringing both brands to more people, in more places, in new ways.

“Partnering with IPYS allows us to deliver our premium catamarans with confidence that our future owners are in the right hands to have an exceptional experience, allowing us to conceive, design, and build the next generation of aluminum catamarans,” said Perry Knudson, Managing Director, BRIX Marine. “Together we will generate more excitement about BRIX catamarans, a product specialized for the extreme marine environments in the Pacific Northwest. Inside Passage Yacht Sales will have inside access and will place our future owners on the path of success for their new vessel purchase.”

BRIXg Marine is known for being ‘First in Catamarans.’ Their recreational CATs are born from a strong workboat and research vessel history. IPYS will be featuring five of BRIX’s signature catamarans, ranging from 29’ to 35’.

“The IPYS, EagleCraft and BRIX Marine partnership is a powerful combination.BRIX and EagleCraft bring their naval engineering expertise, premium aluminum vessels and both employ a collaborative approach which compliments the IPYS mindset,” said Brian Krantz, Inside Passage Yacht Sales. “We believe in bringing the best of premium luxury yachts to our target market. BRIX and EagleCraft are an obvious choice to help get our owners into the boat of their dreams.”

Inside Passage Yacht Sales’ central location in Anacortes, WA, midway between EagleCraft in Campbell River, BC and BRIX Marine in Port Angeles, WA, benefits buyers. The IPYS team has decades of experience in the marine industry, matched only by their passion for yachts and the owners they get to connect with. They host an annual rendezvous and focus on building relationships that last.

“EagleCraft has always been about premier craftsmanship and developing custom vessels that bring owners’ dreams to life,” said Torry Wannenwetsch, Managing Director, EagleCraft. “We’re excited about this opportunity to reach new EagleCraft owners in the Puget Sound, one of North America’s greatest boating markets, and to create new pathways for our brand.”

EagleCraft is known for their reliable construction and hand-crafted finishing. The EagleCraft Cruiser is the perfect mix of rugged durability and fine finishing to attract the crossover cruising market. IPYS will be featuring four EagleCraft Cruisers ranging from 31’ to 43’.

This collaboration represents a step-change in the way all three businesses address the needs of the market. The IPYS partnership brings together deep skills in business, marine engineering, and cutting-edge products. Most importantly, new buyers can expect exceptional customer service to support boaters in their investment.

BRIX is the premier custom aluminum catamaran builder in the Pacific Northwest. They have forged a legacy of high-performance designs and quality workmanship over the last two decades. Looking to the future, BRIX’s aim is to create long-lasting positive impacts for their customers, community, and team.

BRIX is a part of Bryton, a group that includes EagleCraft, KingFisher, Duckworth, Northwest, and Weldcraft aluminum boats.BRIX operates independently within the group, benefiting from an experienced management team, highly skilled work force, and physical factory that has been customized for efficiency. While operating as separate business units, the brands are strengthened by sharing best practices and collaborating on strategic planning. The group is built on a foundation of solid core values with an emphasis on community enrichment, striving to be employers of choice while fostering innovation and product development. BRIX’s market focus, talented personnel, and industry leading boat designs partnered with Bryton’s strong purchasing power and solid management systems enable BRIX Marine to provide clients with superior vessels at great value.

For more information on BRIX Marine, contact: Perry Knudson [email protected] (360) 457-5752

EagleCraft has been building custom commercial and recreational vessels since 1985. Their bespoke experience brings customers into the fold to ensure the vessel suits their activities perfectly. EagleCraft’s experienced team of craftsmen has perfected tough boats that withstand the roughest waters on the West Coast, while instilling a handcrafted luxury touch.

With over 800 vessels operating on the coast, the EagleCraft name has earned an enviable reputation for quality construction and reliability. Now, that same heavy-duty quality, design, construction, durability, and reliability is available to the discerning recreational vessel operator in the EagleCraft range of Cruisers. EagleCraft is a part of Bryton, a marine group which includes marquee brands BRIX Marine, KingFisher, Duckworth, Northwest, and Weldcraft boats.

For more information on EagleCraft, contact: Torry Wannenwetsch [email protected] 1-888-393-6464

Inside Passages Yacht Sales knows that boating is not only about a boat, it’s also about a lifestyle. The perfect boat inspires you to live differently, to go and to do. Their passion is not only boats, but pairing the perfect boat with the right buyer, and that is what makes them different. IPYS believes in building relationships, not just making sales.

For more information on Inside Passage Yacht Sales contact: Brian Krantz [email protected] (360) 468-4997

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All about the $40m bayesian yacht that capsized, leaving 6 dead and 1 still missing.

The massive superyacht Bayesian that sank off the coast of Italy on Monday won numerous awards for its sleek interior design — and was sold to its original owner for nearly $40 million.

The luxury sailing ship was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank during a fierce storm early Monday.

The bodies of five of six missing passengers, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch , 69, have been recovered. His daughter, 18-year-old Hannah, is the only one of six known killed in the tragedy yet to be found, a source close to the rescue operation told Reuters.

The ship’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, has also been confirmed dead.

Divers continued searching the wreckage of the 184-foot-long, British-flagged vessel, previously called Salute, on Wednesday after discovering four of the bodies.

When it was built in 2008, the Bayesian had the tallest aluminum mast in the world, standing at 237 feet, earning it the award for best exterior styling at the World Superyacht Awards in 2009, the Telegraph reported.

The sprawling superyacht’s interior, decorated with sleek, minimalist furnishings created by Remi Tessier, has also won numerous awards.

The ship, which accommodated 12 guests, had a master bedroom and three double and two twin bedrooms.

It also featured beige sofas, dark wood furnishings, and a teak deck equipped with a large canvas awning to keep guests cool, according to the outlet.

Some of the ship’s styling, including thin brown pillars and miniature terra cotta sculptures, was inspired by Japanese culture.

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing seven passengers.
• British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was identified as one of the bodies pulled from the wreckage. His teenage daughter, Hannah, was the final one to be recovered.
• Lynch — known as “Britain’s Bill Gates” — had invited guests from Clifford Chance, a legal firm that represented him, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it disappearing.
• A rare and unexpected “black swan” weather event may have led to the  Bayesian’s speedy demise , maritime experts say.

The extravagant ship won best interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards in 2008 and was also voted one of the best large sailing yachts at the 2009 World Superyacht Awards, according to the outlet.

The yacht’s original owner, John Groenewoud, a Dutch real estate developer, reportedly bought the ship for £30 million ($39 million) when it was built. In 2014, he sold the ship with an asking price of £27 million ($35 million).

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The Bayesian is currently owned by Revtom, a company that listed Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, as its legal owner.

It was named after the Bayesian statistical model that helps financial investors calculate risk — the subject of Lynch’s PhD that later helped him build his empire.

The vessel, operated by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, had twin 965hp MTU engines, which gave it a range of 3,600 nautical miles at 13 to 15 knots (14 to 17 mph).

RSB Rigging carried out rig service works on the ship with Astilleros de Mallorca, a shipyard facility in Palma, in November 2016.

The Bayesian returned in September 2020 for scheduled service works, including having its mast removed and reinstalled.

Steve Branagh, managing director of RSB Rigging, told the Telegraph: “At this time, our deepest sympathies go out to the friends and families of all those affected by this dreadful tragedy.”

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Shinkai: Inside the design journey of the superyacht designed for deep-ocean adventures

With a name meaning "deep sea” in Japanese, the 55-metre Feadship explorer yacht Shinkai is packed with ocean-going accessories including a  7.2-tonne, three-person submarine and Toyota Land Cruiser. Currently turning heads in Hawaii, designer Phillipe Briand breaks down her brief and build...

“Designing explorers – boats with a meaningful purpose – really interests me,” says Philippe Briand , a naval architect whose 30-year career can be traced through the 12,000 or more yachts conceived on his drawing board: a multitude of race-winning custom sailboats, a huge number of cruising yachts from production builders Beneteau and Jeanneau and, latterly, a series of elegant custom superyachts bearing the stamp of his award-winning Vitruvius brand.

So when approached by a superyacht owner with a desire to explore high-latitude waters – not just above the waves, but also beneath – his attention was truly grabbed by the challenge. “This highly experienced client had plenty of ideas as to how he might achieve his goal,” Briand explains, “including the possibility of a ‘submarine yacht’ – an idea that was eventually decided to be just too far ahead of its time.”

The brief eventually evolved into a highly-customised 50-metre explorer, whose prime task was to carry and operate a three-man submarine. “Of course,” Briand continues, “the boat still had to have all the luxury of a superyacht and carry a normal complement of tenders and toys, as well as a Toyota Land Cruiser and an all-electric Jet-Ski, so the 50-metre target size was under pressure from the very start of the design process.” The ‘high latitude’ requirement, including a desire by the owner to transit the Northeast Passage, further added to the complexity.

A 6.3-tonne, U-Boat Worx C-Explorer 3 was eventually selected as the submarine of choice. To allow its deployment in less than perfect sea conditions, a 7.0-tonne crane with an 8-metre reach, with stabilising lines running from the sub to deck winches on the mothership, was identified as the most reliable method of launch and recovery. This would be accomplished as a ‘launch-and-go’ operation with the three passengers boarding the sub before launch.

Breakthrough stabilisation

Then came the issue of the mothership’s stabilisation. “I was not keen on using conventional fin stabilisers,” explains the owner, “because they are rather inefficient at low speed and can be damaged by ice and flotsam, so I suggested that we should investigate the use of gyro-stabilisation, as I knew this is being used successfully in many smaller craft today.”

The technology is not new – Emily Cadwallader’s 136-metre motor yacht Savarona had been fitted with a gyro weighing 50-tonnes in 1931 – but this was never considered a satisfactory solution on larger yachts until recent technological advances, including the operation of the gyro in a vacuum and a tenfold increase in rotational speed to 2,000rpm, prompted its reemergence – but only in boats up to around 30 metres LOA.

The main downside of scaling such technology up to larger vessels is that the gyro installation will occupy a significant volume in the yacht, but for this project there were other considerations. At cruising speed the gyro’s performance is slightly inferior to fins, but, says Briand, “this deficiency can be partially rectified by adding long bilge-boards to the hull”. Going with a gyro would also eliminate ice-vulnerable hull appendages, increase the fuel efficiency of Briand’s already efficient hull form, and provide significant additional stability when launching the submarine and tenders, so it quickly became the most compelling option.

With this choice made, the final hurdle was to identify a manufacturer. “No one had ever built such a large and technologically advanced gyro, and just two manufacturers worldwide had the capability,” explains the owner, “Veem in Australia and GyroMarine in Italy – both of whom satisfied us that they could build what we needed. We eventually chose the Livorno-based GyroMarine for their Active Drive concept that is more attuned to the needs of larger vessels with slower roll rates.”

A custom-built GyroMarine GM600 Active Drive System gyro – at that time the world’s largest active drive system – was selected. This 23-tonne beast is housed within a 3.3m x 2.7m x 2.5m cube and develops an impressive 850kN of angular momentum (a measure of rotor size and speed) that delivers a stabilising torque of 1,000kN m, with peak power consumption of 70kW. “It was a unique experience for us to work with such a passionately interested owner,” says Tony Hands, the technical manager of GyroMarine’s Active Drive technology. “He certainly put us through our paces to create an ideal solution for this very exciting yacht.”

The Toyota Land Cruiser also called for special treatment. “I’ve carried vehicles on previous yachts,” says the owner, “but they rust really badly in salty air.” The answer was to treat the vehicle in the same careful manner as one would an embarked helicopter and store it in a sealed garage.

Finalising the design

With these technical parameters decided, together with identifying the need for six guest suites and generous accommodation for 12 crew, Briand could start design work. His approach was first to concentrate on the stern to locate the submarine, tenders, toys and gyro, to confirm that they could be accommodated within Briand’s slender 50-metre hull with its characteristic steep underwater rise at the stern – an essential element to meet the owner’s demand for fuel-efficiency.

While highly efficient, this hull shape limits the volume available in the stern sections for the internal stowage of tenders and other equipment so, as the design progressed, the yacht’s size not only grew to 55 metres but the decision was also taken to store the submarine on the open aft deck, together with the two tenders and the Land Cruiser. The submarine takes pride of place, centrally positioned in a shallow well at the stern with its huge Palfinger knuckle-boom launching crane on its starboard side. Just forward is the watertight box containing the Land Cruiser, a 5.7-metre SOLAS tender and its launching crane and an 8-metre limousine tender, launched by the sub’s crane. It’s a deck layout that permits sufficient below-deck volume to be allocated to the gyro.

With these items provisionally positioned, it became apparent that the elegant, low-profile design that is the trademark of Vitruvius designs would not provide sufficient volume for spacious accommodation. “I therefore pressed the owner to add an additional ‘owner’s deck’,” explains Briand, “rather than increase the length once again, which would make access to shelter and small harbours more difficult. After much discussion concerning the effect on the yacht’s aesthetics, this was eventually agreed.”

The remainder of the vessel offers all the luxury of a regular superyacht. Below an open observation deck, the uppermost enclosed deck contains the wheelhouse and captain’s cabin, while below is the owner’s deck featuring a full-beam dining room, two impressive suites and his and hers offices that provide panoramic views forward. Two spacious guest suites and two twin-bed children’s suites are located on the main deck together with the main saloon. Excluding the engine and gyro rooms, the crew have the lower deck to themselves, with seven cabins, a large mess room, laundry and galley.

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A superyacht captain shares 3 things people who want to charter a luxury vessel should know

• Vacationing on a superyacht may sound like it's all Champagne and sunbathing.
• But before boarding a luxury vessel, superyacht captain Kelly Gordon advises keeping certain things in mind.
• Yachting is a summer pastime with risks and nuances for clients and crew.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez soaking up the sun. Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian's wedding . Beyoncé's carefree jump into the ocean.

One of these images is likely what comes to mind when you hear the word "superyacht," a phrase generally used to describe a yacht over 80 feet in length.

While ultra-luxurious vessels are associated with all things carefree, tragic events such as the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off the coast of Sicily on Monday is a reminder that yachting is a pastime with unique risks and nuances. It's unclear what the protocols were on the Bayesian.

For those keen on the idea of chartering a superyacht, captain Kelly Gordon, 42, told Business Insider there are a number of important factors to consider before hopping on board.

Gordon fell in love with yachting after she stepped aboard a yacht for the first time in her mid-20s.

Hellbent on reaching captain level, Gordon quickly worked her way up the chain of command. She's spent most of her time sailing the Bahamas and the Caribbean and is now based in Florida, where she works as a captain on a 108-foot-long privately owned vessel.

Gordon, who has over 12,600 followers on Instagram , shares three factors to keep in mind before boarding a chartered superyacht.

Think of the process of chartering a superyacht as buying a house

One of the most important things to do when chartering a superyacht is to work with a charter broker, Gordon says.

"The charter manager's job is to No. 1: find you a safe boat," Gordon said, adding that in her experience, "Not all programs put safety as high up on the list as it should be."

She also likes to equate charter brokers to Realtors in that they take on the role of finding you the best option for your taste.

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"You find one that you gel with really well and has a good reputation, and then you discuss with them what your budget is, where you want to go, what your activity levels are, what your personalities are like," Gordon said.

Pairing clients with a crew that aligns with their characteristics is a huge part of a charter broker's job, Gordon said.

"If you think about it, you're living with that crew for 24/7, around the clock," she said. "You're not going put someone that just wants to sit and read books all day with a crew that's extremely active."

Find a crew that is competent and prioritizes safety

Charter brokers also help match clients with a competent crew that prioritizes safety.

"I don't know that many people realize just how much their life is in our hands when we cast those lines and we go to sea," Gordon said.

Part of that is having a safety briefing, which Gordon carries out every time she welcomes clients onto a chartered vessel before leaving a dock.

A thorough safety briefing includes informing clients about the location of safety equipment and lifejackets and the procedures for events such as a fire, a person falling overboard, or the boat sinking.

"You should have a safety briefing, and if you don't get one, you should ask for one," Gordon said.

The process, she added, can be different on privately owned yachts, where passengers may be familiar with the vessel.

The Bayesian is a private yacht owned by tech tycoon Mike Lynch; it's not yet known what kind of safety protocols staff and guests were trained on.

Make sure there's a member of the crew on watch 24/7

"A lot of charter guests think when they go to sleep, the crew goes to sleep," Gordon said.

But that shouldn't be the case, she added. "You want to be on a boat knowing that someone's up, because if the weather changes or the anchor starts to drag, you need somebody that's up and ready to go and get everybody else to handle it."

Among the biggest weather risks are tornados, which can be extremely difficult to predict and prepare for whether you're on land or at sea.

"I'm from the Midwest, where tornados pop up," Gordon said. "It's hard to see a tornado coming, and if you do see it coming, the tornado goes where it wants to go."

Most often, that leaves people near the weather event with just minutes to ready themselves, which is even trickier "in the middle of the night."

While rapid changes in weather are tough to contend with, Gordon recommends researching the areas you are sailing in beforehand, like you would when visiting a new country.

"It's no different than if you're going on vacation on land," she said. "You want to know where you're going. Don't put that just all on the crew."

While the research doesn't have to be as extensive as the crew should be doing, it's important to still be "responsible for your own self as well as your family and your guests."

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

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Search Resumes for British Mogul and 5 Others After Yacht Sinks Off Sicily

The body of the vessel’s cook was recovered while divers searched the hull of the Bayesian for passengers, including the tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.

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By Elisabetta Povoledo

Deep-sea divers with Italy’s firefighter corps resumed their search on Tuesday for six missing passengers — including a British software mogul and his daughter — of a yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily the previous day.

Twenty-two people were on board the 180-foot British-flagged sailing yacht, the Bayesian, which was anchored near the port of Porticello, when it was hit by what witnesses described as a waterspout, a small tornado on water, during a sudden and violent storm.

Fifteen people who managed to get to a raft were rescued by the captain of a nearby sailing cruise ship. The body of the yacht’s cook, identified by news outlets as Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan, was recovered on Monday. But several people are still unaccounted for, according to Salvatore Cocina, an official with Sicily’s civil protection agency.

Those still missing are Mike Lynch, a British technology entrepreneur; his daughter Hannah; Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Christopher J. Morvillo, a lawyer at Clifford Chance; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Mr. Lynch was acquitted of fraud in a U.S. trial in June, ending a high-profile, decadelong legal battle against accusations that he had defrauded Hewlett-Packard when he sold his company, Autonomy, to Hewlett for $11 billion.

Mr. Lynch and the others went missing days after Mr. Lynch’s co-defendant at the fraud trial, Stephen Chamberlain, a former vice president of finance at Autonomy, was fatally struck by a car on Saturday while out for a run, his lawyer, Gary S. Lincenberg, said in a statement.

Prosecutors in the Italian city of Termini Imerese, east of where the yacht sank, are opening a formal investigation into the yacht’s sinking. Reached by telephone, the chief prosecutor declined to comment.

The search for the missing passengers began on Monday but was suspended late that night as crews found themselves limited to the bridge deck and items like furnishings “obstructing passage,” the firefighters’ corps wrote on social media .

When divers resumed the search on Tuesday, ships trawled the waters near the site, the corps said in a statement. The Italian Coast Guard also said in a statement that search operations were “continuing unabated,” with the deployment of helicopters. There was no evidence that gasoline was leaking from the yacht, the Coast Guard said.

The yacht was lying on its right side in about 165 feet of water, meaning that divers, working in pairs, could stay underwater for only about 12 minutes at a time, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for the firefighters’ corps.

Divers were seeking a safe point of access to the vessel’s cabins. “Obviously, everything fell and the space is very tight,” Mr. Cari said, adding that the divers were having to remove obstacles, like furnishings and electrical wiring, that were “completely blocking passages.”

The firefighters’ corps said in a statement that it was impossible to verify whether people were inside the hull.

Mr. Cari said that several divers had been part of the search-and-rescue operations when the Costa Concordia, a cruise liner, capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio in 2012, killing 32 people. It is considered one of the worst maritime disasters in modern Italian history.

“It’s like the Costa Concordia, but much smaller,” Mr. Cari said in a telephone interview, comparing the search operations. “In the Costa Concordia, we came across many obstacles but we somehow were able to overcome them. Here, the obstacles block the passages and have to be removed.” He added, “This makes it more difficult.”

Crews were also trying to raise the yacht, which experts will examine to try to determine why it sank. Until then, experts can only hypothesize what happened.

Karsten Borner, the captain of a ship, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which picked up the Bayesian’s 15 survivors, said in an interview that when the wind picked up around 4 a.m. Monday, the Bayesian was about 490 feet behind his vessel. Once the wind wound down, he said, he could not see the yacht anymore.

“My theory was that she was capsized first and then went down over the stern,” Mr. Borner said.

Dario Boote, a ship structures and naval architecture professor at the University of Genoa, said: “Now I imagine that a whole series of lawsuits will be triggered, obviously to ascertain whether there is any responsibility, as always happens very unpleasantly in these situations.” He said, however, that in this case, responsibility might be hard to determine. “Clearly, only once the wreck is raised will we know more,” he added.

Several fishermen told Italian news outlets that they had witnessed a waterspout. Peter Inness, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, said they were relatively common in the Mediterranean, though their occurrence and intensity are unpredictable.

“Until one actually forms, you can’t start telling people where it is,” Mr. Inness said, or “how to get out of the way.”

The inclement weather — with lightning intermittently streaking through the sky — made it hard to know exactly why the yacht sank. Col. Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said the agency had registered intense lightning activity and strong gusts of wind in the area at the time the boat sank.

The Bayesian had one of the tallest aluminum masts in the world, according to its builder, Perini Navi. “Having a tall aluminum mast would not make it the safest port to be in case of a storm,” said Andrea Ratti, associate professor of nautical design and architecture technology the Politecnico di Milano. The type of intensity unleashed by a violent lightning storm “could have created a significant shock wave,” he added.

He, too, cautioned that “a lot of questions will remain until we have other elements at our disposal.”

Modern yachts are built to withstand meteorological events of reasonable intensity, and all international naval registers suggest that new ships be designed for higher waves and more frequent and extreme weather events.

But “this seems a case of an unreasonable extreme event,” said Emilio Fortunato Campana, an expert in Naval Hydrodynamics at Italy’s National Research Council. “In that case, no ship is 100 percent safe,” he added. “I think the Titanic showed that nothing is unsinkable.”

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years. More about Elisabetta Povoledo