Preparation

The information below supplements that given in Chapter Norway, 2. Preparation, some of which also applies to Svalbard.

Most of Svalbard is protected, and strict rules govern where you may travel and what activities are permitted. Research should begin well in advance, up to a year ahead, especially if you plan to hire a firearm.

Challenges

A voyage in a small boat within 600 nautical miles of the North Pole is a serious undertaking. Both boat and crew must be capable of handling extreme Arctic conditions at any time.

Ocean Passage

The crossing to Spitsbergen via Bjørnøya is easier than passages to Greenland or Antarctica, but it should not be underestimated. Conditions are often rougher than wind strength alone would suggest, and a lumpy passage is normal.

Floating Logs

They constitute a hazard which you must accept when sailing these waters. Large floating logs, originating from Siberia and sometimes up to 1 m in diameter and 10 m long, are common in the Barents Sea and around Svalbard. They are hard to spot except in calm conditions and represent a real hazard.

Cold

Cold places physical and mental strain on the crew. Watches may need to be shortened, doubled up, or extended due to ice or fog. Ice anchor watches often lead to broken sleep over many nights. Cold, fatigue, and seasickness together can quickly result in hypothermia.

Isolation

Services are scarce and you may not see other boats or people for long periods. Bad weather or accidents can feel far more serious in such a remote environment.

Weather

Svalbard weather is highly variable and can change quickly from calm to dangerous. Cold air is denser than warm air, so wind feels stronger than the same speed at lower latitudes.

Fog is common around Svalbard and the surrounding seas. It is often very local and can form quickly. In areas where sea ice is present, fog can become a serious hazard.

Ice

Ice conditions can change quickly and become dangerous without warning, even along the usually calmer west coast of Spitsbergen. Wind and currents are often hard to predict and strongly influence ice movement. Anchoring in the shallowest water your yacht allows helps limit the size of ice that can reach and threaten the boat.

Polar Bears

In Svalbard, humans are no longer at the top of the food chain. Polar bears outnumber people and must be taken seriously. Proper preparation is essential.

More on Polar Bears and Polar Bear Protocol

Preparing The Boat

For the passage to Svalbard, your boat must be well prepared and capable of handling a demanding ocean crossing of several hundred nautical miles. There are almost no services for boats in Svalbard, so you need to be fully self-sufficient when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Spare parts can be ordered and flown to Longyearbyen if needed, but this takes time and can be expensive.

Anchoring Gear

To anchor safely in many Svalbard anchorages, you need an anchor that can penetrate thick kelp. Many anchorages are deep, so adequate chain or rode is essential. We had good results with our 33 kg Rocna anchor, but most modern anchor designs are likely to perform well in these conditions.

Ice Poles

A long boathook can be used as an ice pole, though wooden poles are a better alternative if you do not want to risk damaging your boathook. We carried two wooden boat hooks, each 3 m long and 4 cm in diameter, for pushing ice. These are close to the minimum size for effective ice work, but they were adequate for our needs.

At anchor, it is often surprising how large an ice piece you can push away, or more accurately, how easily you can push the boat clear of it. When moored to a quay or floating pontoon, however, the size of ice you can move is much smaller, and there is a real risk of being pinned against the dock or even crushed by ice.

Navtex

Navtex provides English-language weather forecasts and ice information, as well as important Notices to Mariners. It may be optional if you have satellite communications, but it delivers critical information automatically.

Radar

Fog is common in the waters around Svalbard, making radar an important safety aid and a significant reducer of stress when navigating in poor visibility. Note, however, that most radar units typically fitted to leisure yachts have no or limited capability for detecting sea ice. Such radars should therefore not be relied upon as the sole means of ice detection in areas where ice may be present.

AIS

AIS is widely used, even on small boats. It improves situational awareness, collision avoidance, and supports search and rescue, especially in poor visibility.

Communications Equipment

Sysselmesteren, the Governor of Svalbard, strongly recommends carrying both VHF and a satellite phone. Many satellite systems do not cover Svalbard reliably, but Iridium works well at high latitudes. We used Starling throughout Svalbard and found coverage reliable, noting that it is still a relatively new system.

Tender

If you use an inflatable dinghy, always bring it aboard when at anchor and never leave it unattended while ashore, as polar bears or walrus may damage it. You may also want to carry a spare tender in case the main one is punctured by animals or sharp objects. The water is extremely cold, and swimming back to the boat is not an option, even over short distances.

Weather Protection

Good cockpit protection combined with proper cold-weather clothing is usually sufficient, though enclosed cockpits or wheelhouses offer more comfort in poor conditions.

Heater

A reliable cabin heater is essential for comfort and to reduce the risk of hypothermia. Water temperatures are only a few degrees above freezing and will significantly cool the interior of the boat, even if the hull is insulated.

Safety Equipment

High Arctic voyages require extensive safety equipment. The International Racing Federation Offshore Special Regulations (formerly ISAF) are a useful reference.

Visitors travelling outside Management Area 10 must carry an emergency beacon and register its ID with the Sysselmesteren before departure.

Preparing The Crew

Extra crew can greatly reduce fatigue, especially during long, cold and wet passages and ice watches. Crew numbers depend on boat size, plans, and experience.

Avoid tight schedules when planning crew changes. Fixed dates often lead to poor decisions—“the most dangerous thing on a cruising boat is a calendar.”

Clothing

Temperatures may be higher than expected for this latitude, but wind chill can be severe. Good-quality foul-weather gear is essential. Dress in layers and bring warm head and ear protection, insulated waterproof gloves, and warm, waterproof boots.