59° North Sailingvideo
Passage Planning // Bergen - Torshavn
8 September 2026 · 33 min · 200 views · Bergen
What this video covers
Skippers planning a North Sea passage from Bergen, Norway, to the Faroe Islands must navigate complex offshore infrastructure and variable weather patterns. When departing Bergen, sailing north along the coast before turning west toward the Shetland or Orkney Islands allows for more favorable wind angles, specifically keeping the wind behind the beam.4:51 Mariners should exercise caution near oil and gas installations, as these areas contain support vessels and seismic survey ships towing arrays up to 10 miles long.12:18 AIS targets, including virtual targets for towed arrays, are essential for identifying these hazards.12:52 Sailors should also switch mobile phones to airplane mode to avoid expensive roaming charges from offshore platform cellular networks.15:49 While Fair Isle was a traditional stopover, recent harbor demolition makes it inaccessible.15:00 Alternative stops include Lerwick in the Shetland Islands and Kirkwall in the Orkneys, both offering reliable fuel and water.17:32 Tidal currents around the southern tip of Shetland, known as "the hole," require careful timing.22:16 For the subsequent leg to Iceland, the harbor at Vestmannaeyjar offers a protected, narrow entrance, though local currents remain a factor.25:47
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