Sea route passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Northwest Passage is considered to be one of the adventurous journeys.

There was a time, when the route was only taken by skilled polar explorers as the route is quite unpredictable. Sometimes, one will found just cold winds and ice-free; the other time, the passage will be having ice that won't get even by icebreakers.

Experts have affirmed that there have been instances when the temperatures get plummeted to -40ºC. On general basis, Russian research vessel Akademik Ioffe is preferred for expeditions in such areas.

This vessel is credited to be a veteran of polar conditions. The ship is equipped with real-time satellite charts. These charts provide detailed information about the extent of the ice as well as density of the same.

As per the density, colors are shown on the charts. Three colors are generally shown on the charts and those are green, yellow and orange and red.

Green means that passage is navigable through a small boat. Yellow and orange color is an indicator that an ice-strengthened vessel is the only to pass the area. Last but not the least, red light means the presence of thick ice, which can only be penetrated by an ice-breaker.