Alluring Arcticvideo

A Whole Winter in the Ice in Greenland. Will the Ice Crush Our Boat?

March 29, 2025 · 18 min · 1.3M views

What this video covers

Juho and Sohvi Kangasluoma operate an aeration system to prevent ice buildup around their boat while wintering in Greenland. The setup utilizes an industrial aeration disk, or bubble disk, submerged at a depth of approximately 2.5 meters (7–8 feet) to circulate warmer water toward the surface.3:00 Powered by a low-pressure air pump, the system consumes 50–60 watts of electricity, which the crew generates using solar panels and a small gas generator.17:27 This method mirrors techniques used in Finland to keep ice swimming holes clear.17:39 During the installation, the crew monitors the rudder’s position beneath the surface to ensure the bubbles effectively protect the hull and steering gear from freezing pressure.15:40 The process involves testing different bubble sizes to optimize heat transfer. A camera used for underwater inspection suffers water damage during the deployment, highlighting the risks of operating equipment in sub-zero temperatures.16:01 The aeration system successfully maintains an ice-free zone around the vessel.

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