Photo: The Octopus heads to the NW Passage

Vessels of all sizes are turning up in the Arctic. The Octopus, the ninth largest yacht in the world, which is owned by the co-founder of Microsoft, stands at anchor in Pond Inlet earlier this month. The $200-million, 126-metre boat includes two helipads, a pool on one of the upper decks, a basketball court and two submarines. The yacht planned to enter the Northwest Passage from the eastern entrance, according to information from Transport Canada Marine Safety. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAMLET OF POND INLET)