Voyage with Hurtigruten along the Norwegian Coast

Saturday, May 13, 2017 / The coast of Northern Norway

Words by Christine Spiten / Co-Founder

In May the Blueye team was invited onboard the Hurtigruten expedition ship MS Fram on a voyage along the beautiful coast of Norway. We embarked in Frøya, close to the Blueye HQ, and got to experience five fantastic days at sea on our way north to Tromsø. The voyage was filled to the top of spectacular nature experiences and thrilling dives with the Pioneer.

In the time coming we will collaborate with Hurtigruten to create similar exciting underwater experiences for their guests onboard the expedition ships!

Andreas, Jonas and I packed our bags with underwater drones, warm clothes and photo equipment and went to Frøya, ready for an adventure with Hurtigruten. Our expectations were high because Hurtigruten is known for its spectacular travel- and content rich experience for their guests.

However, we were not going to be regular guests. We would test Pioneer together with the crew aboard to see if Blueye and Hurtigruten could combine the best of travel experiences at sea, with unique underwater experiences.

Voyage map
Voyage map from Frøya to Tromsø

The first stop was Træna - an archipelago off the coast of Helgeland known for its distinctive profile of the three mountains Mjåtind, Breitind and Trænastaven that protrude from the sea as trolls' hats. There are about 450 people living on the islands, whereas most of them live of fishing or related work. For those who have not been to Træna, the islands may be more known for their annual music festival. The Træna festival gather more than 2,000 people on the largest island, Husøy, to enjoy concerts in the beautiful scenery of ocean and mountains!

Træna

Træna islands

Although the islands are beautiful, the underwater scenery was the most intriguing to us, so quickly launched Pioneer into the water. We discovered some scholls of coal fish right behind Fram by the dock. The captain joined us to get a look the hull. MS Fram came straight from the ship yard and was in top condition - although with a few spots that lacked some paint. We got to demonstrate Pioneer as a tool for inspection AND to explore life in the sea - cool!

Next stop was the UNESCO-protected islands of Vega, just south of the Arctic Circle. These islands are named one of the world’s top undiscovered island gems. With over 230 species of birds this is heaven on Earth for ornitologes! People have lived on these islands for more than 10.000 years and have a unique tradition for raising eider ducks and harvest their feathers for down production.

The coast of Helgeland an in the Northern Norway is full of beutiful places. The nature is raw, prestine and full of wildlife - both above and below the ocean surface.

Blueye Pioneer diving with Stamsund mountains in the background — Blueye Pioneer
Blueye Pioneer exploring the kelp outside Stamsund.

During the trip was the Norwegian Constitution Day, and at that day we arrived Andenes. Tradition true we celebrated in our national costumes, bunad, flags and champagne. The whole crew and all guests marched on deck singing the national song.

Christine in bunad outside Andenes lighthouse — Norwegian Constitution Day
The Norwegian Constitution Day on the 17th of may was celebrated at Andenes.

After this spectacular and fantastic tour, we can't wait to collaborate further with Hurtigruten and make these tours even more memorable in 2018!

Ocean expedition with Blueye Pioneer Underwater Drone

Blueye Pioneer underwater drone expand your cruise travel experience onboard Hurtigruten.

Kjeungskjær Lighthouse

The Kjeungskjær lighthouse (Norwegian: Kjeungskjær fyr) is a lighthouse in the municipality of Ørland in Sør-Trøndelag county.
Blueye Pioneer diving with Stamsund mountains in the background

Split photo of Blueye Pioneer exploring the kelp on one of the islands outside Stamsund in Lofoten
Blueye Pioneer in the kelp outside Linesøya

Blueye Pioneer diving in the clear waters outside Linesøya, Trøndelag
Blueye team with Hurtigruten expedition leader
Christine presenting Blueye for guests onboard
Seagulls in Andenes
Engabreen glacier

Engabreen is part of the larger Svartisen (black ice) glacier.
Engabreen glacier

Engabreen is part of the larger Svartisen (black ice) glacier.
Steffen diving from a small pier at Vega

A bit of waves and current was no mach for our underwater drone
Expedition leader Steffen diving

Exploring the ocean around Vega using the digital dive mask.
One of the many mountains in Alstahaug

Alstahaug is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland region.
Typical Norwegian fishing boat

A typical small Norwegian fishing vesle called a "sjark".
A small wooden boat

A small wooden boat sails by just as we cross the polar circle.
Large and healthy oarweed (Laminaria digitata) growing outside Stamsund

Norwegian kelp is becoming increasingly popular as a food source.
Large and healthy oarweed (Laminaria digitata) growing outside Stamsund

Norwegian kelp is becoming increasingly popular as a food source.
Blueye Pioneer underwater drone in front of MS Fram

The harbour of Sana island in Træna offered some exciting diving with lots of fish and kelp.
Celebrating the Norwegian Constitution Day

The Norwegian Constitution Day was celebrated at Andenes. Here Christine is wearing a traditional Norwegian dress called bunad.
Parade on deck

A parade as part of the Norwegian Constitution Day celebration.
Andreas happy after a successful dive

We did a 40m wall dive from the small island of Vikingen which lies exactly at the arctic circle.
Blueye Pioneer ready to inspect the haul of MS Fram
Happy team

From left Øyvind our voyage photographer from Spæt, Christine, Andreas and Jonas from Blueye.