Safety Guidelines
LANDINGS WITH ZODIACS
Always pay attention to your Expedition Leader and guides. Do not hesitate to ask them if you have questions regarding the landing procedures. Passengers must be aware of certain regulations involving the Zodiacs in order to ensure safety in our operations. A safety briefing will also be given by our guides.
- The boat driver oversees the Zodiac and its operations. His/her instructions must always be followed.
- There will be wet landings (where you will need to wade ashore). We advise passengers to wear rubber boots and appropriate waterproof clothing as protection from sea spray or rain when in the Zodiac. Use a waterproof bag to protect items such as cameras and binoculars.
- Always wear the life jackets provided when in the Zodiacs. This is for your safety and is required at all times regardless of weather and sea conditions.
- Accept the helping hands of crew members and drivers when stepping into or out of the Zodiac at the ship’s gangway. Keep both hands free for this operation, and use the “Sailor’s grip” (i.e., grip each other by the wrist).
- Minimise the number of items you bring into the Zodiac. Backpacks are ideal for loose items such as cameras, binoculars, medication etc. It allows you to have both hands free.
- If you have a loose item, it should be handed to the driver/crew member before embarking/disembarking the Zodiac.
FLOATATION SUITS DURING ZODIAC CRUISING
It is mandatory to wear a flotation suit during Zodiac cruises. These are available on board. The suits are warm and waterproof overalls, and replaces your outer layer (jacket/trousers) and life vest when Zodiac cruising. (See image above.) Please note: The flotation suits will not be worn on landnings/walks, but only when Zodiac cruising.
WILDLIFE & NATURE
- When ashore, always stay with your group and your guides. Due to polar bears and for your safety, you are never allowed to wander off on your own.
- Watch your step and keep to established paths when possible. In cold and dry habitats, the recovery of plants is very slow.
- Approach wildlife slowly when taking photographs and retreat from the subject just as carefully.
- Never disturb wildlife for the sake of a photograph.
- Be extremely careful among breeding colonies of seabirds and ground nesting birds.
- Be careful not to startle or chase any bird from its nest. Your attention to a nesting or moulting bird should never be prolonged when a predator is in the vicinity. Foxes, gulls and skuas are always luring to raid exposed nests.
- Monitor your surroundings and be sensitive to any disruption you may be causing. If an animal shows signs of distress or avoidance, move away.
- Look but never touch. We wish to observe natural behaviour in its natural state.
- Never feed wild animals!
- In order not to introduce new species into Svalbard please wash your boots at home and make sure that no seeds are included in the packaging or clothing (pockets, Velcro, etc).
- Return all litter to the ship for proper disposal. This includes litter of all types, such as plastic bags and paper tissues.
- It is not allowed to collect natural souvenirs such as shells, rocks, feathers, bones or fossils.
- Keep noise level to a minimum.
- Never smoke ashore.