Climate Change at the Northwest Passage in Photographsbr California Academy of Sciences - California Academy of Sciences, Education Roombr This unprecedented expedition began on May 31, 2009, when the ship, Ocean Watch, departed Seattle Washington for a daring voyage through the Northwest Passage, a goal few ships have achieved but which is now possible due to rapid warming of the Arctic.On the final leg of their trip on their way back to Seattle, the team visits the California Academy of Sciences to talk about their adventure and about the science they have conducted along the way.