An extraordinary trip up the coast of Baffin Island

Just off the coast of Devon Island, the Zodiac is pitching and heaving. Shannon Fowler, five-foot-nothing in her socks, is in command. She is not, of course, wearing only socks, but rubber boots too, as we all are, and a survival suit.

The ten of us have lifejackets. The sea is clear turquoise, a surreally tropical colour given that the water temperature is a neat 0C.

Despite the team of Russian sailors standing up to their waists in the stuff, there’s no guarantee that our Zodiacs will be able to run ashore. Things were fine five minutes ago, when we left the ship; but that’s Baffin Bay for you.

hereSee the photographs of Dennis Minty, our remarkable photographer.