Norway
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NORWAY
| Norway | |
| File:Countrymap.gif Norway - map does not show the islands of Jan Mayen, Bear Island or Svalbard | |
| File:Countryflag.jpg Flag | |
| Capital: | Oslo |
|---|---|
| Language: | Norwegian. English is widely spoken. |
| Currency: | Kroner |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
Some history about the country needs to be submitted here.
Climate & Weather
Submit the climate details.
The norwegian Meteorological office www.met.no is the source and very elaborate on the local climate
Lot's of water, snow, ice and rain but there are frequent and ofen long spells of amazingly good weather (in T shirts N of the Polar Circle has been experienced..) Most of he Fjords do not freeze up in winter because of the Gulf stream influence. There is a lot of permanent ice cap on the mountains. In summer the nights are short or non existent, a very special experience
Sources of weather forecasting.
Both on the climate and forecasting (offshore,coastal ice conditions) the prime source would again be www.met.no the norwegian weather service the relevant pages are available in Norwegian and English. Navtex
While coasting the VHF coastal stations (yes they still have coastal radio and very extensively) are issuing weatherforcast (in norwegian) and traffic lists (in english for foreign vessels) on their WORKING Channels (most can receive channel 16 and or MDSS. But you have to call them on a working channel preferably (www.telenor.no see coastal radio frequency plan). They will give you the latest forecast in English on request.
Charts
Norway issues it's own very elaborate full size chart series covering the whole coast. There are special yachting editions of sequential coastal sections (presently from the S to Halfway up the country) which take up less space but are sometimes a little confusing if you need a completer picture. All towns on the coast have at least one bookseller that's an agent for the Norwegian Charts, they will stock the latetst charts of surrounding area's. If you sail to Norway a good strategy is to obtain a coastal chart of the general area (300 series)where you want to make your landfall plus some of the more detailed series (nrs 1 into the 100 plus series) and just buy he most up to date charts when coming ashore.
Be aware there are a lot of overhead high tension cables (luftspenn) plus an ever increasing amount of fixed bridges and that for route planning in this respect you need adequate up to date info (which is available on the 100 series charts).
There are a lot of books with pilotage information, The best is without doubt the 'Norske Los' issued by he Norwegian Hydrographic Service also available through the local booksellers. This is meant both for commercial ships and yachts carries charts and pictures with a wealth of information it comes in coastwise volumes but unfortunately is only in Norwegian, with an extensive glossary though.
Remember there is a lot of Norway, there is an enormous coastline with a lot of submerged rocks , small outlying islands etc. Do not skimp on your info as especially in the N of the country help might be hours away if needed !
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.
Immigration & Customs
Submit details about customs and immigration procedures here.
Visas
Submit information about what visitor's visas are available and where they are obtained.
Health & Security
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
=Ports & Popular Stops
S Coast (Swedish Border to Flekkefjord)
Relatively densely populated with numerous towns and villages at relatively short distances with good facilities.
Egersund, a well sheltered harbour with good facilities, bunkering and a railway connection to Stavanger, be sure to have a proper chart if you are unfamiliair especially at night (this applies to the country as a whole really).
Between Egersund and Tananger there are no really useful sheltered harbours in S to SW winds
On the Sly W coast and upwards
Coming from ports to the S while aiming for the W Coast, the village of Tananger (a W suburb) of Stavanger is highly recommended it has refuelling facilities (at tax free -avgifts fri- tariff) at the Hummern Hotel, there are shops in town and it's very close to Stavanger Inernational Airport.
Further N you'll find places like Haugesund and Bergen with as a recommended winter stopover place I would like to recommend the Norheimsund Gjestehamn in the Hardangerfjord (abt 70 km E of Bergen) which has excellent shower and laundry facilities full shopping and banking, good shorepower adequate shops and is on the bus route to Bergen, It is also Home to the Hardanger Fartoyvernsenter museum shipyard. Winter mooring 15 Kr /feet/month in 2008. For webcams and info see www.trebaat.no
On the way up the Hardanger Fjord you can see the waterfall at the mouth of the Mauranger Fjord.
N of Bergen population density decreases rapidly so does the size of towns and villages and the number of harbours; though Floro, Aalesund, Trondheim, Bodo ,Narvik, Tromso and Hammerfest are places with all facilities.
A good winterstop place is Levanger on he Trondheim Fjord. Levanger also has a slip ( operated by Persoy) that will take heavier and larger yachts (which have far less beam than the average fishing boat. If your boat is to heavy for a boatlift hat's the place to go, though there are many fishing boat slips they won't allways be able to accomodate a yacht for the reason mentioned earlier.
Lofoten and Vesteralen are very beautiful and so is the glacier at Svartisen
Be aware hat there are few trains in this country but both bus air transport is very frequent and covers most larger towns. ALl coastal towns are linked by hurtigbater (express boats 30 knots) which are a major part of he transport infrastructure.
GSM phone coverage is very extensive on the coast..
VAT (at 25%) will be refunded on goods taken out of Norway on a non norwegian yacht, though you better ask for it beforehand if you want work done or need equipment to see if your chosen supplier is familiair with the procedure.
Offshore Islands
Norway administers a few off-shore islands. These are:
- Spitsbergen (Svalbard). Spitzbergen or Svalbard is a group of Arctic islands which have been mandated to Norway by the United Nations. The Norwegian presence is concentrated to the university (the world's northernmost) town of Longyearbyn whilst Russia maintains a presence at the coal mining town of Barrentsberg. A metreological reporting station is located on the Hopen Island in the eastern part of the group. If anchoring off the island beware of kelp beds and be advised of the rocky nature of the sea bed.
- Bear Island. Norwegian territory in the Barents Sea. A metreological station is located on the island which lacks safe harbours and anchorages
- Jan Mayen. A small island north of Iceland, also Norwegian territory. A metreological station is established on the island which lacks safe harbours and anchorages
- Bouvet Island. An unpopulated Antarctic Island without safe natural harbours or anchorages
WARNING
Be aware of the possible presence of polar bears on all the above mentioned islands with the exception of Bouvet (no polar bears in the Antarctic)
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Submit useful website links for the region
