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Sailing in ICE | Sailing Florence Ep.218
November 6, 2025 · 29 min · 45K views · Svalbard
Sailboat Florence approaches calving glacier under blue sky
What this video covers
The crew of the 37-foot Oyster Marine 37 HERITAGE navigates the icy waters of Svalbard, managing the hazards of floating ice while exploring glaciers and remote anchorages. To avoid hull damage, the crew maintains a slow speed and relies on forward-scan sonar to detect submerged ice, distinguishing between growlers, bergy bits, and larger icebergs. The 20kg spade anchor effectively penetrates the kelp-heavy seabed common in the region, though it requires manual untangling during retrieval.2:09 While exploring the Bay of London, the crew observes abandoned 100-year-old marble quarry machinery and notes the presence of a radio silence zone near the research town of Ny-Ålesund, which restricts the use of Iridium Go satellite equipment.20:43 When local weather forecasts predict 40-knot offshore winds, the crew prioritizes seeking shelter at the Ny-Ålesund harbor dock.21:51 The experience confirms that cold, dense air falling off glaciers can create localized winds significantly stronger than regional forecasts suggest.17:53
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