The Norwegian coast is dominated by rough, rocky landscapes. But when the midnight sun is shining north of the Arctic Circle, it appears in golden splendour. The following photos were taken during a five-week crossing aboard the Safier, a proud two-master (www.safier.ch). The 1,500 kilometers long route led from Bodø, in northern Norway, to Gothenburg, Sweden. As an on-board photographer and crew member, I was able to document the long sailing days and nights, but also the excursions to remote islands.
The North Sea is feared for its short, steep waves; especially in winter, when storms cause rough seas again and again. Nevertheless, ships are on the move every day at this time of year. Tankers, massive supply ships, and fishing boats defy the adverse weather conditions. For several years a sailing ship, the Safier (www.safier.ch), has also been heading northwards in the winter. The crossing from Holland to northern Norway takes three to five weeks, whenever possible under sail. The crew consists mainly of commercial seafarers, who follow their spirit of adventure and sign on here between their summer jobs. As part of this crew, I was able to participate in and document these unique voyages in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
