Sailing Florencevideo
Reality of Life aboard in the Arctic | Sailing Florence Ep.220
4 December 2025 · 31 min · 50K views · Svalbard
Two figures watch glacier calve into Arctic waters
What this video covers
The crew of the 37-foot Oyster Marine 37 HERITAGE, Florence, navigates the high Arctic waters of Svalbard, reaching 79 degrees 20.83 minutes north.1:06 They decide to turn south due to increasing ice hazards from glacier calving and the need to return a rented polar bear protection rifle to Longyearbyen before its hire period expires.2:08 While anchored near a glacier, shifting winds and currents rapidly fill the bay with ice, forcing an immediate departure to protect the fiberglass hull and towed plywood dinghy.21:27 The crew manages cabin temperatures by using a diesel heater to raise the interior from 8 degrees to 15 degrees Celsius, supplemented by heavy layering of synthetic base layers, fleeces, and Gill OS1 ocean-grade shells.13:30 They mitigate condensation by venting the galley during cooking and wiping down surfaces.13:59 The voyage includes a sighting of a polar bear and a visit to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, which currently functions as a quiet tourism-focused outpost.29:26
Boats in this video
More from Sailing Florence
From Sailing Florence — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.