Finally on shore after the swim.

Two first weeks of November Nautical students from Tromso university had their Arctic safety course at UNIS Longyearbyen. This was a pilot project initiated by the Svalbard University Center. Students learn about the challenges operating in the Arctic. Both in the name of science, cruise tourismen and marine transport and the cruise manuals for this.

I had the pleasure to join on the two days “survival-course” which included dropping into the sea and try to swim to shore where we built a emergency bivouac and continuing with a night out with limited equipment. Next day learning about alternative shade´s and a helicopter rescue. Some from the sea and some from on-shore. Minus 16 degrees Celsius with wind and snow gave some challenges, but the group was in high and motivated spirit. In fact this was my first time on Svalbard during the dark time.

Rescue helicopter in action.