
Writing a BluePaper
for eco-Arctic
sailing expeditions.
Hi, happy to see you here!
Welcome to dig deeper into our project's mission, thoughts, considerations, and objectives.
The poster highlights our seven themes and you can just click on any of them below and find more and updated info. Please do not hesitate to get in touch – just fill in the form below, we will get back to you within shortly.
Enjoy!
The S4S Project Team

In balance. In tune. In time.
Our project aims to develop sustainable opportunities for small-scale sailing operators – in balance, in tune, and in time with the development of new necessary rules and regulations for the protection of the Arctic region. Our community of small-scale sailing tour operators (including naturalist exploration, research, and citizen science activities), will also function as a joint platform when it comes to voicing regulatory proposals or objections. Examples of recent regulatory changes with high implications include: 1) new rules for Svalbard where small commercial boats are sharing the same category as cruise ships for up to 200 people (Norwegian Gov., 2023; Miljødirektoratet, 2023), 2) extensive new Norwegian reporting regulations, putting the same rules on small yachts as on the merchant fleet, with frequent and excessive administrative burden concerning any foreign yacht (>15m) visiting the Norwegian coastline (Norwegian Gov., 2024), 3) one of the most recent accepted laws by Greenland which forbid foreign companies to organize and operate tours in all Greenland waters, followed by upcoming regulations on banning tourism, in hunting grounds in Scoresby Sound, East Greenland (Greenland Gov., 2024).
The Arctic in accelerated change.
The ice in the Arctic is melting fast and the environment is changing more rapidly than anywhere on the planet (IPCC, 2019). The increased open water accessibility has led to industrial exploitation and a rapidly increased Arctic maritime tourism (Bystrowska, 2019; Dannevig et al., 2023; Dawson et al., 2018; Headland et al., 2023), primarily attracting the large cruise ship industry (Lamers & Arnelung, 2010) which is well known to leave a large environmental footprint (eg, pollution and waste emissions to air and water, noise pollution, and disturbance to wildlife, in addition to passengers travel to and from cruise ship) (Lloret et al., 2021; Evenset, et al. 2011; ).

Alarming updates of Arctic ecosystem state and conservation, have led to the establishment of strict regulation changes across the board, for example, the new Svalbard law mentioned above. Additionally, geopolitical unrest and protection of national business interests further limits and affects the small-scale operators of maritime activities, in Svalbard, Norway, and Greenland.
The rapid development in the region puts pressure on sensitive ecosystems, threatened biodiversity, habitats, and cultural heritage sites, leading to a rising and urgent need for further research data collection, new appropriate policy actions, and eternal-term protection plans.



Sailing4Science – endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade 2021-2030 – is a collaboration platform between research institutions and sailors whom are open to participatory science assignments onboard their yachts. Read more.
Dig deeper into our project's themes:

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LOCALS & CULTURAL HERITAGE

Arctic Indigenous communities that have lived in harmony within planetary boundaries are imposed with mass tourism and business influx with limited social gains. The balance is being severely challenged.
Since the initial inhibition of the Arctic, the Indigenous communities have lived in harmony within local and planetary boundaries. The indigenous way of living in the Arctic is currently imposed by massive tourism and business influx which typically results in limited local societal gains (Larsen & Fondahl, 2014). A development that is well recognized from all around the world’s pristine destinations, such as the Arctic. Not to be neglected is that the monetary aspect is not the only positive driving force in Arctic tourism development (Chen et al., 2021) the cultural proliferation and community development may be just as important, especially for the local communities while environmental degradation and social disturbances are key negative factors to minimize. It cannot be considered unreasonable that Arctic governments will make rules to shut out foreign tourism businesses due to the history of previous practices, with limited benefit for local society and business. However, balanced cooperation between overseas businesses with core competencies and local traditional knowledge holders may benefit both rather than none.
MASS TOURISM vs SMALL-SCALE TOURISM

Small-scale sailing tour operators can offer low-footprint operations and connect people with nature, in balance with the fragile Arctic environment that large cruise ships cannot provide.
Tourism trends in the Arctic show a rapid increase in cruise tourism over the last two decades across the whole Arctic (Lamers 2010; Bystrowska, 2019; Dawson et al., 2018), and authorities are adapting regulations to balance tourism business with conservation goals (Hovelsrud et al., 2021 & 2023). Small-scale sailing tour operators in the Arctic provide low environmental footprint operations and connect people to the fragile environment, in a manner that no big cruise ship can compete with. Science has shown a positive effect on human well-being from blue-green-white nature immersive experiences (Olive & Wheaton, 2021; Sokolíčková et al., 2021). An offer to clients to experience a low footprint, life-changing Arctic experience near nature and cultural heritages, in a safe and eco-responsible manner, should be considered a sustainable development of Arctic tourism and an attractive alternative to mass tourism. Small commercial vessel operators (<24m,

RESPECT FOR ARCTIC WILDLIFE

Visiting arctic waters calls for consideration. Protocols are urgently needed to reduce animal stress, noise, chemicals, and waste pollution, and for the implementation of codes of conduct for wildlife watching, maritime traffic, and scientific studies.
Arctic wildlife is struggling to adapt to the rapid environmental shifts caused by climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and other human activities, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts (e.g. implementing sensitive codes of conduct for wildlife watching, regulating traffic, scientific research, local wildlife rescue and- monitoring wildlife projects). These efforts are critical to safeguarding the future of these species and ensuring the health of the Arctic ecosystem. Several Arctic species, including polar bears, walruses, beluga whales, narwhals, and bowhead whales, are currently endangered or at risk due to these environmental threats (IUCN Redlist, 2025). In this context, small-scale sailing tourism operators can play a pivotal role by offering customized, exclusive, and meaningful opportunities for individuals to reconnect with nature. Operators that are driven by passion and local knowledge, rather than exclusively profit, often tend to prioritize environmental stewardship and foster a deeper awareness and understanding of the Arctic’s fragile ecosystems. Through commitment and with the aim to pursue responsible tourism practices, small-scale operators can contribute to education, raising awareness, and protection of Arctic wildlife. Directly generate support for vital conservation initiatives and promote the long-term preservation of the region's biodiversity.

Conservation plans and eco-tourism regulations are vital for a sustainable life together. Flora and fauna thrive on the edge of life-support conditions. Small-scale expeditions with low environmental footprints offer the least challenging impact on sensitive Arctic habitats and historical and cultural grounds
A truly close-to-nature, high-quality experience can lead to life-changing engagements and conscious ambassadorships by guests, while also giving a higher financial turnover per passenger than large cruise ships. (Sysselmesteren, 2023) (Norwegian Gov. 2024) Small-scale expeditions offer clients an exclusive, near-nature, and element feeling, and for photography expeditions highly sought-after wildlife encounters. Since a large amount of Arctic ecosystems, both flora and fauna thrive during certain specific circumstances, and are very sensitive to change in the climate, the importance of local knowledge about the sensitive ecosystems in the Arctic can not be neglected. Considering the sensitive Arctic species and ecosystems that can easily be disturbed and harmed by the impact of tourism, is it therefore vital that wildlife encounters are planned and considered with precautionary measures. In the Arctic, leisure boats are still given a much larger allowance and freedom than equivalent tour operators of professional small yachts., The apparent division of operation freedom/possibilities ends up being contrary to the conservation plans, established to develop eco-tourism. In other nature conservation areas that are highly pressured by tourism, rules restricting tour alternatives have been established. In the Galapagos islands, it is now only allowed for arriving leisure boats to conduct tours with a professional and trained guide.
SAFETY & PROTECTION

Safety and protection for human lives are key priorities for sailing expeditions in the cold Arctic waters. It requires seamanship as on any ocean but more hazards and risks call for larger safety margins, and an amplified need for self-reliance. Enhanced human factor resources and life-saving equipment and routines are also crucial.
Safety for human lives and the environment must be the key priorities for any sailing venture to high latitudes, and general seamanship principles and protocols need to be fortified and enhanced compared to general ocean sailing since the differences in high latitudes and cold water sailing are substantial. Any maritime operation in the Arctic with inherently higher hazards and risk factors and higher safety margins must be built into the operation. Hazards related to hypothermia, collisions with ice and cold climate sailing operation combined with remoteness to resources, search, and rescue, medical evacuation, protected harbors, poorly charted waters, limited communication, quickly changing weather with limited WX and ice forecasts, magnetic compass anomalies, etc build a high-risk profile that needs to be minimized and managed. Extended night and day hours and extreme air and water temperatures make up the prerequisites for multiple issues to occur that are mostly common in high latitudes and cold waters such as topside and deck icing, hypothermia, frozen rope handling, and equipment failure due to cold temperatures. Finally, the wildlife itself with polar bears also poses special safety precautions. Combined this additionally stresses onboard resources for small, expedition yachts with often short-handed crews, starting with proper vessel designs and equipment choices, self-reliance, redundancy, training, and local experience build-up. Small commercial sailing vessels as well as leisure boats are not obliged to follow the IMO Polar code in full, and the formal regulations applicable on ship construction, life-saving appliances, and training and certification of crew often vary between flag-states and are not always applicable or fit for purpose. In the project is therefore reviewed and presents best practices from a vast experience of small commercial vessel skippers, through expert elicitation.
IN TUNE WITH TODAY’S CHALLENGES

While striving to responsibly influence regulations and best practices, fostering age and gender equality is a moral and strategic imperative. Small-scale tour operators do not yet have a voice in tune with the ongoing formulation of best practices adapted for sustainable and safe expeditions in the Arctic. Limited regulatory influences create a wide gap between perceived common goals and direct consequences for both local and visiting small-scale tour operators.
Limited regulatory opportunities to develop small scale eco-friendly and safe sailing tours in the Nordic Arctic. In this project, the community of practice method is applied which has been proposed model for combined sustainable business and conservation development in the Arctic (Nyseth & Viken, 2016). In response to rapidly increasing pressure from Arctic cruise tourism, regulations to protect natural and cultural values, treat all segments alike, with little concern to the environmental footprint of different types of operations. Small-scale sailing tour operators can provide a high-quality experience, and low footprint operation but do not yet have a voice in the formulation of regulations and best practices adapted for sustainable and safe small-scale operation. Regulations are important, but presently not always effective and goal-oriented. Small-scale sailing yacht tour operators are presently ”falling between the chairs” due to the gap perceived between goals and consequences when setting regulations concerning small-scale professional sailing expedition tours. Traditionally, sailing has been perceived as a male-dominated domain, but the tide is turning as communities recognize the immense value that diversity and gender-balanced participation brings. For small-scale sailing tour operators striving to influence regulations and best practices, fostering age and gender equality is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. A diverse community benefits from a broader range of perspectives, experiences, and skills. When women and young sailors are actively included in decision-making and operational roles, they bring fresh ideas and approaches that can challenge conventional thinking. A gender-inclusive approach ensures that the unique challenges and contributions of all members are recognized. This inclusivity enhances credibility when engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, reinforcing the community's position as a legitimate forward-thinking, sustainability-focused, and socially responsible voice in the industry.
UN OCEAN DECADE AND SAILING 4 SCIENCE

Sailing4Science is officially endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. Sailing4Science is a collaboration platform between research institutions and sailors open to participatory science assignments. The scientific results are shared on open platforms and contribute with valuable data but also help to increase awareness, engagement, and stewardship of the environment amongst the general public.
Sailing4science collaboration platform between research institutions and sailors with citizen science ambitions. This decade is appointed as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with the motto “the science we need for the ocean we want” and Sailing4Science is an officially endorsed project. Sailing4Science is a collaboration platform between research institutions and sailors with citizen science as open participatory science where the public and ocean professionals are invited and embraced in studies of their surroundings. It not only contributes to collect valuable data but also increases awareness, engagement, and stewardship of the environment. Small yachts are flexible, low-cost, and low environmental footprint platforms that can contribute to valuable scientific studies. Combining professional research and citizen science with Arctic tourism has been tested for some time (Viken, 2011; van Bets et al., 2017; Taylor et al., 2020). Our team is additionally linked to academic institutions, and NGOs participating in high-level policy impact, and established links to open data repository hosts will be further exploited in Sailing4Science. s a newer form of open participatory science where the general public is invited and embraced in studies of their surroundings. It not only contributes to valuable data but also increases awareness, engagement, and stewardship of the environment. Small yachts are flexible and can contribute to scientific studies.
SOLUTION-BASED ACTION PLAN 2024-2026:
It is essential to establish a regulatory framework for small-scale sailing operators that fosters inclusivity and active participation in the sailing community, ensuring the promotion of responsible tourism in the Arctic. This framework should prioritize core values such as safety, environmental stewardship, education, engagement in Arctic protection, and collaboration while emphasizing the delivery of exclusive and meaningful experiences to a targeted audience (e.g. like-minded people). The project objective is to create a joint platform for small-scale sail tour operators in the Arctic where they can offer an exclusive near-nature and life-changing experience to clients, through embedded sustainability profiles and with science connections. A close collaboration, with scientific communities and local environmental monitoring and governance authorities, can contribute to both data collection and increased Arctic awareness of participating clients. Such activities often leave guests with life-transforming experiences, which often grow them into Arctic ambassadors. Sailing4Science has drummed up a diverse and energetic group of players with vast experience from fields such as science, environment, sailing, communication, safety, rules, and regulations, to be on the right side of developing eco-responsible, safe, and secure small-scale sailing tours operations in the Arctic. Our first output includes “A Blue Paper” describing the strengths and opportunities this segment can provide for citizen science data, increasing awareness and engagement for the Arctic environment, and prerequisites for the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project is funded by the Nordic Institute in Greenland and their Nordic Arctic Co-Operation Program, under the Nordic Council of Ministers umbrella. We thank our advisors for their valuable guidance.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Read more about the Sailing4Science project partners here.
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