Pure Technology supplies lifeline to Bear Grylls expedition
Final preparations are underway as Bear Grylls and his team prepare to embark on their Future Capital Partners sponsored expedition to navigate the legendary North West Passage using a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) for the first time in history!
With just over three weeks to go, Bear Grylls and his team of four intrepid explorers along with their support and logistics team are making the final preparations for their expedition to navigate 5700 nautical miles of the infamous ice strewn North West Passage, linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans via the Arctic. The team will undertake the expedition on a customised Zodiac RIB, christened ‘Arctic Wolf’ by the team - the first time a RIB will have been used to navigate the entire North West Passage.
The 14 day expedition, which departs Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada on August 28 and is due to arrive at Tuktoyaktuk, North West Territories, Canada around September 11, has been set up to increase awareness of the effects of global warming and to raise money for UK charity Global Angels.
Says Bear Grylls: “It has been a dream of mine for many years to try and follow in some of the greatest pioneers’ footsteps to achieve what so many explorers died attempting - to travel the North West Passage. And, along the way we hope to raise vital and life-saving funds for children all around the world. The small boat and ice will provide some of the biggest challenges, but we have a great team and with some luck and careful planning, we will pull this off, God willing.”
Support
UK technology services company, Pure Technology, who will be providing the communications and IT support needed to undertake such an arduous adventure, is only too aware of the challenges that lie ahead in terms of ensuring the team can communicate with the outside world, the support ship and the boat itself in a life threatening situation.
Danny Long, managing director of Pure Technology explains: “I personally consider it an honour to assist in an expedition that has never before been attempted, and this has come about due to the trust that is placed in us by our client, Future Capital Partners.
“Our PureXtreme offering was created to allow us to push the boundaries for communications delivery, to support and address these challenges in extreme conditions such as this. Its focus is to provide a life line which traditionally could only have been supported via ship to ship, or VHF broadcast.”
Adds Bear Grylls: “Communications support will be vital to us - weather can change in the blink of an eye and we have to keep on top of the latest met reports. I hope to bring the whole team back safe and sound, having successfully travelled on one of the most remote ice routes on earth in a small open boat!”
