Steveston yacht departs on 120-day Northwest Passage expedition

The Northern Starlight, a 51-foot offshore sailing yacht, departed Imperial Landing in Steveston on Thursday, June 25 for a four-month expedition through Canada's Northwest Passage. Richmond resident and entrepreneur Xing Li is leading a crew of three to five on a journey covering more than 6,000 nautical miles, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through the Arctic over 120 days.

The Northwest Passage is considered one of the world's most difficult sailing routes due to constantly changing sea ice, unpredictable weather, remote coastlines and limited support infrastructure. Li brings more than 50,000 nautical miles of offshore sailing experience accumulated over the past decade, including solo circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, Pacific Ocean crossings between North America and Asia, and various expeditions along Canada's West Coast.

All crew members have offshore experience in navigation, weather monitoring, vessel maintenance and onboard safety management. The yacht itself was custom-built in British Columbia starting in 1980 and originally launched as Last Dance. Over recent years, the Northern Starlight underwent significant upgrades including structural reinforcement, satellite communication systems, updated navigation and autopilot equipment, and upgraded arctic safety equipment to prepare for the expedition.

The crew will document the voyage through regular updates, photographs, videos and expedition logs shared via social media. The documentation aims to provide the public with a firsthand look at Arctic landscapes and ice conditions, life aboard an offshore sailing vessel, Arctic wildlife, and the challenges and cultures of northern Canadian communities.

Fuggles and Warlock Beer Co., one of the sponsors, is helping share the expedition's story.