Navigation

The information below is in addition to that presented in the chapter Norway, 4. Navigation; some of which also applies to Svalbard.

Charts and Publications

Paper Charts

Svalbard is constantly being re-surveyed and charts are revised and re-published. In latter years there has been a focus on waters near retreating glaciers. However, parts of many charts are still based on old surveys, so beware! Kartverket states that caution should be exercised in water depths of less than 50 m and that areas with water depths of less than 3 m will not be re-surveyed. Since most paper charts are 1:100 000 and electronic charts are based on these, Kartverket also warns against “over-zooming”. Refer to the CATZOC zones (Category Zones of Confidence) printed on the paper charts and get familiar with how these are displayed on your chart plotter.

All charts printed after 1992 are WGS-84 datum.

Electronic Charts

If you are bound for Moffen Island, Hinlopenstretet or Nordaustlandet, make sure your charts cover these areas. Some providers only have chart coverage up to 80° N. If this is the case, you will need a means to cover the gap. Norgeskart.no show vector charts beyond 81° N, choose elektronisk sjøkart from the menu.

Topographic Maps

Svalbard has been extensively mapped topographically at 1:100 000 and 1:10 000 in a few areas. These maps may be useful for venturing ashore and are also useful for navigating in the relatively uncharted waters of Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya and Edgeøya, even though they have no soundings.

The Norsk Polarinstitutt sells print on demand copies online. You may also get them in some shops in Longyearbyen.

You can view the topo maps of Svalbard online from norgeskart.no, chose Svalbard from the menu.

Sailing Directions

A list of sketch maps for Svalbard was produced by Den Norske Los but is no longer being updated.

We recommend Den Norske Los, Volume 7, for both its detailed pilotage and its extensive general coverage of history, climate, ice, flora and fauna, geology and weather. The volume is published in both, Norwegian and English. It is only available online as PDF. Like the sketch maps, the pilot has not been updated since 2018.

Small parts of the old pilot book are integrated into the online version of Den Norske Los, like on the mainland.

Tides and Tidal Streams

Tidal streams around Svalbard are generally moderate except to the east of Spitsbergen, but when added to currents, the net speed can sometimes reach 2 knots even in open water.

The standard port used when describing tides is Longyearbyen, but, as far as we know, the only tidal gauge for the island group is in Ny-Ålesund.

Compasses

As you progress north along the west coast of Spitsbergen, a magnetic compass will probably become more and more sluggish, perhaps even useless above around 78° N. Fluxgate compasses may be affected less. Autopilot compasses may also be affected, producing sluggish or erratic performance, particularly on northerly courses.

This is caused by the so called compass dip, the angle between the Earth’s magnetic field lines and the horizontal surface, causing the compass needle to tilt downward toward the magnetic poles rather than stay perfectly horizontal.