Integrity had been designed and built at our small Plymouth shipyard in 2012. Seasoned English Oak, copper and bronze with a heavy dose of lead underneath. Five years of use in all seasons within hailing distance of the shipyard had allowed us to test and improve the boat, but also to teach ourselves how to sail her.
Following the extended Plymouth based sea trials, Integrity spent five years in Iceland with a number of summer voyages to Jan Mayen and East Greenland. By this stage the North West Passage expedition was set for 2023.
These years based in northern Iceland brought a different type of boat preparation and training to build on the foundations laid in Plymouth. Each successful voyage cultivated a deepening assurance in the qualities of the boat and the crews. Crucially, there was also developing experience of navigation in ice.
We also learnt about ourselves; having to deal with the boat and manage our own behaviour when tired, cold, hungry and, at times, frightened. Facing these problems is to gain experience.
After each voyage, spares and repairs were considered in two categories: the immediate in order to make the boat safe after an incident and; the onward in order to have the ability to continue a journey. We had
