Sailor Matt Rutherford recently had to abandon his solo attempt to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean after being intercepted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). He set off on his journey from western Greenland on June 25, aiming to complete the trek unassisted and nonstop, a challenge he had envisioned for several years.
Rutherford, who is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Ocean Research Project, has extensive sailing experience, having previously made history as the first person to sail solo and nonstop around North and South America in 2011. His route took him around the southern tip of Greenland, through the Denmark Strait and the Greenland Sea, and into the Norwegian and Barents seas before reaching the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in mid-August.
While he planned to sail on to Canada and return to his starting point, officials from Russia’s security agency halted his progress and instructed him to turn back. In an interview conducted on September 23, Rutherford recounted the encounter with the FSB, stating, “They boarded me twice.” He described this experience as unprecedented in his two decades of sailing.
Rutherford indicated that he was about 1,000 miles into Russian territory when the FSB intervention occurred. Although the ice barriers he waited on eventually opened, he was informed it would be a violation of his permit to proceed. “I got defeated by Russian bureaucracy, essentially,” he added, attributing some obstacles to unexpected ice conditions this year.
Looking ahead, Rutherford expressed intent to attempt the circumnavigation again next year, outlining strategies to avoid another interception by the FSB. “I’ve learned how the FSB operate,” he explained, hinting at adjustments to his route that could keep him north of Russian-controlled areas along the Northern Sea Route.
Rutherford plans to stay clear of any Russian land, aiming to navigate close to the polar ice cap, which he believes will help mitigate the risk of encounters with Russian authorities. He remarked, “It’s kind of hard to argue with that… They’ve got free rein, and they’ve got all the icebreakers.”
During this year’s expedition, he collected 50 water samples, contributing to long-term environmental research as part of his nonprofit’s mission. As he sets his sights on his next adventure, Rutherford remains committed to his dual goals of exploration and scientific inquiry in the Arctic region.
