North Pole Since 2002, the Russians have also annually established a base, Barneo, close to the Pole. This operates for a few weeks during early spring. Studies in the 2000s predicted that the North Pole may become seasonally ice-free because of Arctic ice shrinkage, with timescales varying from 2016 to the late 21st century or later. The sea depth at the North Pole has been measured at by the Russian Mir submersible in 2007 and at 4,087 m (13,410 ft) by USS "Nautilus" in 1958. The nearest land is usually said to be Kaffeklubben Island, off the northern coast of Greenland about
American Sail Training Association The Tall Ships' Races in Europe in 1972 where he joined the USCGC "Eagle" with his brigantine "Black Pearl" as the first US vessels to participate in the races. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Tall Ships America's mission is to encourage character building through sail training, promote sail training to the North American public, and support education under sail. Tall Ships America organizes the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE Series, a series of sail training races, rallies and maritime festivals that rotate every three years around the Atlantic, Pacific and Great Lakes Coasts of North America. In 2016, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE series