In the middle of the winter time with temp below freezing and a lot of ice and snow, some might wonder where we store our recreational boats. Well most of them are laid-up in winter storage locations, but some are still at their ordinary jetty. Each day I pass some of them on my way to the office in Oslo. So today I stopped by at Frognerkilen Boat Association’s (founded in 1860) harbour to take some pics so I could share this winter scenery with you (I had my Nokia N82 at hand of course). It’s also a part of my ‘significant four seasons in Norway’ theme, but let me get back to that later. An example first (click all pics to enlarge and enjoy):
As I’ve told you before; We have more snow in the Oslo area then we’ve had for many, many years and from mid Jan. until now we’ve had quite a few periods of cold weather (around -5 to -15C = 23 to 5F) so there is thick layer of ice on the Oslo Fjord. Let me remind you that this is a fjord of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, so we are talking about real, salt water here. So how can they leave the boats at the regular jetty in that winter conditions? Lets take a look at a picture that might illustrate:
They simply pump water from the bottom of the fjord and lead it to the water surface in pipes. That prevents the water around the boats from freezing. Let me give you a couple of more examples:
I don’t have a boat and I don’t know a lot about this, so I was lucky to meet the Boat Association manger to ask some questions about this phenomena. I love to learn when blogging and share with others you know: He told me the reason why they do this is that it can cost a lot to put the boats in dry storage too and especially the sailing boats where they have to rig down the masts. Besides he said; if you lay-up your boat, it takes a longer time to get it on water when the first opportunity comes along to use you boat some time in April. You might say he was a boat enthusiast :-)
Let me end the story with some information about this harbour close to Oslo (only 15 minutes walk!): They can take boats up to 40 feet and the gates at this floating jetty with outriggers are locked, guarded and provide security service 24 hours. There is access to water and electricity and they provide toilets and showers. Even more (I just love this one!); Wireless Internet Zone and of course kiosk and cafeteria.
I don’t have pics of all these great services, besides; the wireless zone is hard to capture you know :lol: , but I guess you take my word for it. Let me show you some more pics however, even if the lighting conditions weren’t the best; it was quite cloudy and a bit foggy today:
Then back to Norway’s significant four seasons; In some months from now, the ice and snow will be gone, we will have wonderful, sunny and warm weather – all you need for enjoyable adventures in a boat on the fjord. Besides; you will have the long summer nights when you can sit on the deck tanning in your bikini with a refreshing margarita until at least 10PM. So do I see you this summer? You can even stay over as they provide parking with full services for motor caravans. Check their website and don’t panic about the Norwegian language; there is an ‘Info in English’ button to click on!
They look so beautiful in the snow. It’s not often you see boats covered like that. I hadn’t considered what would happen to boats in freezing weather so it’s good to learn. All our snow has gone now, and unlikely to return. There are even some spring flowers starting to bloom.
RennyBA
Yea; Beautiful and silent and its not often covered that much either. I like to dig into stuff and learn myself you know.
We’ll have spring too of course, but it will still take a couple of month.
Looks like a ton of sailboats. I’ve not done that. Too much work. Now a power boat no problem. I can take her out and put her back in her slip. All the comforts of home. We have all those amenities that you spoke of too. They are pretty standard everywhere.
You certainly struck a cord for me when you show boats and water. The docks help as well. Today it’s in the low 70s and it’s very tempting to go boating. More rain to come though.
Did Diane break anything in her fall? I’ve not seen a follow up post.
Thanks for making me smile. Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane. :)
In a way, this is exactly a small boats life many places in Norway.
You make Norway look like a wonderful place to live. But it’s too cold for this Oklahoma boy. For me, snow is to be enjoyed through the window.
Brrr …. it looks cold!
i never experience winter before…wish i can be there
superb photographs Renny…
I imagine that you looking forward to sitting on those decks in summer ;)
Very interesting. That’s the first time I’ve heard about pumping water around the boats to keep the ice from freezing around them. I learned something!
You had a colder, snowier Winter than average, ours has been milder than usual. I’d hoped for more snow but it doesn’t look promising now with Spring not too far off.
Must be awful if you live on a boat!
Very interesting. We don’t do that in Sweden, at least not to my knowledge. The boats go up on land during winter.
I see that it still is some ice around them, don’t the boats get damaged if there are waves smashing them into the boats coating?
BTW, I tagged you for a photo meme in my latest post!
It does look awfully cold, and the boats seem so lonely!
What fun it must’ve been getting a harbor tour, Renny. I love being on boats, although I’ve never been on a sailboat.
You’ve got so many more boats in the harbour than us, but today it has snowed and I think of the look of this that I saw during the Christmas season. Beautiful pics, I knew I would love them!
There is a certain solitude in winter that’s not seen in other seasons. These images portray that feeling perfectly. I’m about ready for Spring to arrive though. This winter has felt a bit long.
How cool is that! I find it brilliant to have the pipes running from the bottom so the ice won’t freeze to the boat! Amazing!
Beautiful pictures!
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Renny, I somehow imagine that the ocean would be frozen too. Imagine my surprise to see that water not frozen at all! :) Why do I have this picture of the arctic and big glaciers at the harbor for Norway?
Even though we also have had more snow than we’ve had for many years, they still say that our winters will continue to get milder. Lovely photos, but looks very cold :O)
I can see why so many Scandinavians come down here to Salalah for their winter holidays.
Wow, the pictures are really gorgeous. Its like winter wonderland =) Brings me back to Christmas all over again.
brrrr, it makes me shiver to see those boats covered in snow and sitting in the water. but what an ingenious solution.
I had wondered about those boats out in the freezing weather, thanks for explaining that!! When we had ours at the Baltic Sea, everybody left during the winter as there was no protection against the cold weather and no insurance company covered those winter damages. When the boat was indoors and “dry”, it was the time to do any required upgrading. I remember that.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Nydelige bilder og grundig informasjon. Kom imidlertid til å tenke på mannen fra Finnmark som på spørsmål om klimaet svarte: “Ni måneders vinter og tre måneder med dårlig skiføre”!
Boiling in the Sydney summer, these are fantastic contrast photos of the icy silence of a northern winter.
FASCINATING, Renny….! THese pictures are just wonderful…It gives you such a feeling of “place”, and “Time”…and I LOVE that. I think it is Amazing thry leave the boats in the water ALL winter long….I am going to send this link to my brother, who is a Great Great Boat person…..I think he will really love this post!
What a nice vision that all those boats covered with the snow. Finally I realize it’s the first time I see a such scene!
I forgot to tell you how much alike the harbor looks to Victoria! And I think I’m panicking, can you help me? ;-)
That is amazing how they can keep the boats in the water there with wireless services too! Wow, that is amazing. I love learning about where you live. I would love to go there someday just to see all of this. Thanks for sharing the pictures they are just great.
Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby
Oh, that explains why the water around the boats are not frozen. Brilliant!
It would be terribly cold to be out at sea in such cold weather. But I like the idea of suntanning in bikini in Summer. :D
That is so interesting! I love boats and was on a crew team in college. I never knew how they were able to keep the boats in the water all winter…NOW I know! How cool is that to pump the water up ?
wow, so much snow! i like pics of the boats lined up. :)
Gorgeous photos! The port reminds me of the one in my home town, Olympia, in the USA — they got a big snowfall there this year, I wonder if things looked like that?
Very interesting, Renny. We tend to take our boats all the way out of the water here. This seems more efficient!
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
That looks really nice and I like how the snow is covering some parts of the boat. Lovely!
RennyBA
I knew you would like it Charles and soon your here in Norway again to experience this yourself!
that snow makes me glad I am not in Norway or even in a “winter” right now
Beautiful pictures! I feel cold now ;-)
I rarely see boats in Ottawa, only in the summer. Never seen frosted boats before!
Hard to believe it´s almost spring…
I have to say I love Winter, I don’t like the wet and moist winter but a white and medium cold one is totally livable.
The photos is (as always) great Renny, and I remember one winter I was a couple of days in Trondheim, was very cold but one of the best visits there actually!
RennyBA
We are two of a kind Anders, but then again; we are both Scandinavian :-)
See; cold don’t disturb adventures!
I have three words for you,Renny….
beautiful but cold!!
You Norwegians are so very clever, Renny, and I’ll tell you that 100 times. :)
I feel pleased to be able to see the ship in the dressing with the snow ice. Because I have never seen this event. See this picture … I can feel the cold. Thank you for your sharing photos. Regards from Yogyakarta City, Indonesia
I love to learn when blogging and share with others you know: He told me the reason why they do this is that it can cost a lot to put the boats in dry storage too and especially the sailing boats where they have to rig down the masts…