Norwegian Hydrographic Service Sailing Directions

Reference nautical documentation for navigation in Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

The nautical instructions of the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, known as Den norske los, are essential reference documentation for preparing and carrying out navigation along the Norwegian coast, in the fjords, around the northern archipelagos and in the regions of Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

These publications, produced and maintained by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, provide complementary information to official nautical charts. They describe channels, navigation routes, ports, anchorages, approaches and the characteristics of different Norwegian maritime areas.

The Norwegian coastline has a particularly complex configuration: thousands of islands and islets, deep fjords, narrow passages, shoals, currents, rocky areas and weather conditions that can change rapidly. In this environment, a nautical instruction complements chart interpretation with detailed and operational descriptions of the waterway.

The Den norske los collection covers the Norwegian coast from south to north as well as Svalbard and Jan Mayen, with information suitable for professional navigation, recreational sailing and offshore voyages.

What is Den norske los?

Den norske los, literally “the Norwegian pilot”, is the Norwegian equivalent of a collection of Sailing Directions or nautical instructions.

Its purpose is to answer practical questions for the navigator: how should an area be approached? What hazards should be considered? Which channels should be used? What are the characteristics of a port? Where are the anchorages? What local conditions should be taken into account when planning a route?

The nautical instruction therefore complements official charting.

It provides information about:

• channels and navigation routes;

• harbour approaches;

• commercial and recreational ports;

• anchorages;

• narrow passages;

• islands and archipelagos;

• navigation hazards;

• coastal characteristics;

• reference routes;

• information useful for voyage planning.

Official nautical charts remain the primary cartographic reference. The nautical instruction enhances their use with descriptive and practical information.

Documentation particularly suited to the Norwegian coast

Norway has one of the most deeply indented coastlines in the world. From the Swedish border to the Russian border, navigation takes place in very different environments.

In the south, navigators encounter the Skagerrak coastal archipelagos, the approaches to Oslo and coastal areas around Langesund and Stavanger.

Further west, navigation continues through the regions of Bergen, the fjords of the western coast and the waters around Stad.

In central and northern Norway, routes pass through areas including Trondheim, Rørvik, Bodø, Lødingen, Andenes and Tromsø, before reaching the northernmost areas of Norway.

This diversity explains the geographical organisation of Den norske los into several volumes.

Den norske los volumes

The traditional collection of Norwegian nautical instructions is organised into several volumes covering the coast progressively:

• Volume 1: General Information;

• Volume 2A: Swedish Border – Langesund;

• Volume 2B: Langesund – Jærens rev;

• Volume 3: Jærens rev – Stad;

• Volume 4: Stad – Rørvik;

• Volume 5: Rørvik – Lødingen and Andenes;

• Volume 6: Lødingen and Andenes – Grense Jakobselv;

• Volume 7: Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

This organisation makes it possible to select the documentation corresponding to the section of coast being navigated.

Volume 7, dedicated to Svalbard and Jan Mayen, is particularly relevant for navigators and expeditions operating in Arctic regions.

Southern Norway, Oslo and the Skagerrak

The first areas covered by the collection include the south-eastern Norwegian coast, between the Swedish border and Langesund.

This region includes the approaches to Oslo, the Skagerrak and numerous coastal ports and channels.

Navigation in these waters requires a good understanding of the archipelagos and the many passages between islands.

The nautical instructions can be used to prepare approaches and better understand the coastal routes used by vessels.

For charting, official Norwegian data from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service constitute the reference. Depending on requirements and navigation areas, they can be complemented by international charting products such as NV Charts.

Stavanger, Bergen and the western coast

The western Norwegian coast is characterised by numerous fjords and archipelagos.

The areas around Stavanger and Bergen are important for both coastal and commercial navigation.

Between the islands, channels can be relatively narrow, while offshore waters are exposed to the conditions of the North Sea and North Atlantic.

A nautical instruction allows these areas to be approached with a more complete understanding of routes, ports and passages.

Navigators can use it to prepare a route towards Bergen, study a harbour approach or plan navigation through the fjords.

Stad, Trondheim and central Norway

The area between Stad and Rørvik also presents a wide variety of navigation conditions.

The waters around Stad are particularly exposed to the sea, contrasting with the sheltered waters offered by fjords and archipelagos.

Further north, Trondheim is an important point along the Norwegian coast.

For a vessel undertaking a long-distance coastal passage, the nautical instruction helps prepare the different stages and provides consistent information about the areas being crossed.

It complements official Norwegian charts at different scales, particularly when moving from general navigation to navigation in more confined waters.

Rørvik, Lofoten and northern Norway

As navigation continues northwards, the environment becomes particularly spectacular but also technically demanding.

The areas around Rørvik, Lødingen, Andenes and Bodø lead towards the Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos.

The configuration of the islands, passages between land masses, exposed areas and weather conditions make thorough preparation particularly important.

The nautical instructions allow navigators to study coastal routes and the different access points before entering a particular area.

For sailors cruising in Norway, this information is particularly useful when planning a sequence of stops and anchorages.

Tromsø and the far north

Further north, navigation extends towards Tromsø and then into areas reaching the Russian border.

The coast is increasingly subject to conditions specific to high latitudes.

Depending on the season and location, navigators may encounter difficult weather, variable visibility, low temperatures and, in certain areas, phenomena associated with sea ice.

The nautical instruction should therefore be used together with all other applicable nautical documentation and up-to-date official charts.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Svalbard is a very different navigation environment from mainland Norway.

The archipelago, located in the Arctic Ocean, presents specific conditions associated with high latitudes, glaciers, sea ice, weather and the isolation of navigable areas.

The volume dedicated to Svalbard and Jan Mayen provides specific reference documentation for preparing these voyages.

Areas around Longyearbyen, Isfjorden and other accessible parts of the archipelago require particularly thorough preparation.

Jan Mayen is also an extremely remote destination in the North Atlantic and should be approached using appropriate documentation.

Den norske los and nautical charts

A nautical instruction does not replace a nautical chart.

The two documents have different but complementary functions.

A chart provides information about:

• depths;

• hazards;

• rocks;

• soundings;

• navigational aids;

• coastlines;

• channels;

• geographical positions.

The nautical instruction provides more descriptive information about:

• routes;

• approaches;

• ports;

• anchorages;

• passages;

• local characteristics;

• navigation-specific conditions.

Official charts from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service therefore form the cartographic basis for navigation in Norway.

International publishers such as NV Charts also produce charting for certain Norwegian and northern European navigation areas.

Digital version of Den norske los

The modern digital version of Den norske los 2.0 represents an important development in this documentation.

It combines navigation information with an interactive chart representation that allows different levels of information to be selected.

The digital version is available in Norwegian and English, making it easier for international navigators to use.

It allows users to consult information relating to routes, ports and navigation areas and to use the reference routes provided by the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

The information can also be used to prepare reports relating to a specific route.

This approach is particularly useful for professionals, delivery crews and commercial vessels, as well as recreational sailors planning detailed navigation along the Norwegian coast.

Documentation useful for recreational sailing

Although Norwegian nautical instructions meet professional requirements, they are also highly useful to recreational sailors.

A sailing yacht or motorboat navigating in Norway can use them to:

• prepare a passage between two fjords;

• identify coastal routes;

• prepare a harbour approach;

• locate anchorages;

• study passages between islands;

• prepare a cruise through the Lofoten Islands;

• plan navigation towards Tromsø;

• prepare an expedition to Svalbard.

The documentation is particularly relevant for sailors discovering Norway who want to understand the characteristics of a coast before navigating there.

Using the documentation for route planning

An effective method is to use the nautical instruction both before and during navigation.

The navigator can:

1. determine the relevant geographical area;

2. select the appropriate volume;

3. identify planned ports and passages;

4. study channels and navigation routes;

5. identify areas presenting particular difficulties;

6. compare the information with official charts;

7. prepare harbour approaches and anchorages;

8. check the latest nautical information before departure.

This method transforms a simple chart into a genuinely documented navigation plan.

Updates and navigation safety

Nautical documentation should always be used with up-to-date information.

Navigation conditions can change: buoyage may be modified, harbour works may take place, new infrastructure may be introduced, routes may change or new hazards may appear.

The Norwegian Hydrographic Service also publishes the Etterretninger for sjøfarende (Efs), the Norwegian Notices to Mariners. These publications report, among other things, changes or defects affecting navigational aids, new hazards and other information useful to mariners.

For professional navigation or demanding voyages, it is therefore essential to cross-check the nautical instruction with official charts and the latest available nautical information.

Conclusion

The Nautical Instructions of the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, collected under the name Den norske los, constitute specialised documentation for navigation along the Norwegian coast, through fjords and northern archipelagos, as well as in Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

They complement nautical charts by providing detailed information about channels, routes, ports, anchorages, approaches and the characteristics of different navigation areas.

Their geographical coverage allows navigators to prepare passages from Oslo and the Skagerrak to Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, Bodø, the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø and the far north of Norway, as well as voyages in the Arctic regions of Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

For navigation in Norway, official charts from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service remain the primary cartographic reference. They can be complemented by international charting products such as NV Charts, depending on the area and the navigator's requirements.

Combining an official nautical chart with Den norske los provides a much more complete understanding of the maritime environment and forms a particularly useful basis for planning coastal navigation, fjord cruising, a voyage through the Lofoten Islands or navigation towards Arctic regions.

FAQ – Norwegian Hydrographic Service Sailing Directions

What is Den norske los?

Den norske los is the official collection of Norwegian nautical instructions. It describes navigation routes, channels, ports, anchorages and the characteristics of Norwegian coastal waters, as well as Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

What does SHN – Norwegian Hydrographic Service mean?

SHN refers here to the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, the Norwegian hydrographic service within Kartverket, the Norwegian Mapping Authority.

What area does Den norske los cover?

The collection covers the Norwegian coast from the Swedish border to the Russian border, as well as Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

Which Norwegian ports are covered?

The coverage includes areas around Oslo, Langesund, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, Rørvik, Bodø, Lødingen, Andenes and Tromsø, as well as numerous other ports and coastal locations in Norway.

Does Den norske los replace a nautical chart?

No. Den norske los complements nautical charts. Official charts provide the hydrographic and cartographic reference information, while the nautical instruction provides descriptions and practical information about navigation.

Is Den norske los useful for recreational sailing?

Yes. The documentation is also suitable for smaller vessels and recreational sailing. It can be used to prepare cruises through the fjords, the Lofoten Islands or along the Norwegian coast.

Is there an English version of Den norske los?

Yes. The modern digital version of Den norske los is available in Norwegian and English.

Which volume covers Svalbard and Jan Mayen?

Volume 7 is dedicated to Svalbard and Jan Mayen. It provides specific geographical reference documentation for these Arctic regions.

Which nautical charts should be used with Norwegian nautical instructions?

Official charts from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service are the reference for navigation in Norwegian waters. International publishers such as NV Charts also provide charts covering certain areas of Norway and Northern Europe.

Are Norwegian nautical instructions available digitally?

Yes. The modern Den norske los 2.0 is available as a digital service and combines nautical information with an interactive chart representation.

What information can be found in a Norwegian nautical instruction?

It includes information about channels, navigation routes, ports, anchorages, approaches, waterway characteristics and various points of nautical interest.

Why are nautical instructions particularly useful in Norway?

The Norwegian coastline is extremely indented and includes numerous fjords, islands, archipelagos and narrow passages. A nautical instruction complements the chart with descriptive and operational information about these complex environments.

Do the nautical instructions cover the Lofoten Islands?

Yes. The Lofoten and Vesterålen areas are included in the coverage of northern Norway, particularly in the volumes covering the areas between Rørvik, Lødingen and Andenes.

Should updates be checked before navigating in Norway?

Yes. It is recommended to check the latest available information, including official charts and Etterretninger for sjøfarende (Efs), to take account of changes to buoyage, new hazards and other changes affecting navigation.

Are Norwegian nautical instructions useful for a voyage to Svalbard?

Yes, but they should form part of a specific high-latitude voyage plan, together with appropriate charts and nautical information as well as data concerning ice conditions, weather and local restrictions.