The early morning fishing vessel that came into Skrova was full of farmed salmon: they are vacuumed out by a super duper industrial sized machine direct into the factory, fish are gutted and then move smoothly along the conveyor belt for packing. All of this was visible through the windows of the factory and very interesting to observe. The lorries that had been parked up all night, from Russia and Latvia, were waiting to drive off with the catch of the day. We feel we are getting closer and closer to catching our own.
The detour of the day was perfect: who would resist visiting Trollsforden? It is the narrowest fjord, at 100m wide, and by all accounts quite spectacular. We were motoring quite happily, noted a lone yellow buoy which would indicate fishing activity (all fish farms have many yellow buoys so are very easy to identify). Check the chart, no fish farm charted and no sign of any more marks but another check of the chart. Then a change in sound, which always puts you on full alert, so pulled back the throttle and stopped. Engine stalled and we weren’t going anywhere.
In the distance was a work boat which started towards us after a few minutes. It turns out they work for the fisheries whose factory we were getting an education in farmed fish from and they were in the process of removing the nets, and marks for the farm that was in that spot. They were great guys who came alongside with all sorts of amazing equipment including an underwater camera that showed the mess of wayward line that had caught on our prop. This needed a diver but after a quick phone call it became clear that we needed to get back into Svolvaer for any help.
Having freed us from the lines, we were towed back and gently brought alongside in one of the main piers. Ulla, one of the two on board said our diver would be with us in minutes. Next boat to appear was driven by the NSSR, which if you aren’t familiar with their name is the Norwegian lifeboat service, they drive humungous boats so even at low speed they are pretty powerful. This is where our diver, Toby, was coming from.
Once suited up and in the water he was down under Onegin in no time and retrieved the snarled fishing lines. He also checked the state of the prop and p-bracket with thumbs up. We were able to start the engine, go forward and reverse without any problem. You can’t imagine how relieved we were. The next question was, how much would this cost?
Ulla delivered the news: it’s ok, we have covered this as it was our fault.
We have decided that the good trolls must have been looking out for us and that we were never meant to go into Trollfjorden. After a fairly challenging day, we are now tied up alongside Praestenbrygga in Kabelvaag enjoying the evening sun on deck. Tonight is Norwegian midsummer, so we will try and find a bonfire, which will be lit in honour of the midnight sun and breath a sigh of relief.
The detour of the day was perfect: who would resist visiting Trollsforden? It is the narrowest fjord, at 100m wide, and by all accounts quite spectacular. We were motoring quite happily, noted a lone yellow buoy which would indicate fishing activity (all fish farms have many yellow buoys so are very easy to identify). Check the chart, no fish farm charted and no sign of any more marks but another check of the chart. Then a change in sound, which always puts you on full alert, so pulled back the throttle and stopped. Engine stalled and we weren’t going anywhere.
In the distance was a work boat which started towards us after a few minutes. It turns out they work for the fisheries whose factory we were getting an education in farmed fish from and they were in the process of removing the nets, and marks for the farm that was in that spot. They were great guys who came alongside with all sorts of amazing equipment including an underwater camera that showed the mess of wayward line that had caught on our prop. This needed a diver but after a quick phone call it became clear that we needed to get back into Svolvaer for any help.
Having freed us from the lines, we were towed back and gently brought alongside in one of the main piers. Ulla, one of the two on board said our diver would be with us in minutes. Next boat to appear was driven by the NSSR, which if you aren’t familiar with their name is the Norwegian lifeboat service, they drive humungous boats so even at low speed they are pretty powerful. This is where our diver, Toby, was coming from.
Once suited up and in the water he was down under Onegin in no time and retrieved the snarled fishing lines. He also checked the state of the prop and p-bracket with thumbs up. We were able to start the engine, go forward and reverse without any problem. You can’t imagine how relieved we were. The next question was, how much would this cost?
Ulla delivered the news: it’s ok, we have covered this as it was our fault.
We have decided that the good trolls must have been looking out for us and that we were never meant to go into Trollfjorden. After a fairly challenging day, we are now tied up alongside Praestenbrygga in Kabelvaag enjoying the evening sun on deck. Tonight is Norwegian midsummer, so we will try and find a bonfire, which will be lit in honour of the midnight sun and breath a sigh of relief.
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