The Northwest Passage is the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America. This 6,000-kilometer stretch of treacherous waters is considered one of the most dangerous nautical routes in the world. For centuries, explorers sought a navigable passage as a possible trade route to Asia but were blocked by North, Central, and South America; however, in 1906, a team of Norwegian sailors successfully traversed the passage. Since then, specialty vessels with crews of dozens, if not hundreds, of highly trained sailors have attempted the voyage; some emerged successfully on the other side, but just as many were forced to turn back, call for rescue – or worse.