READ ABOUT OUR
Boats
PRIORITY ON SAFETY
Our vessels are specially equipped for whale watching and for you to have the best experience at sea. Safety on board is a priority and we take every measure to that end. Our vessels are inspected every year by the relevant Norwegian authorities who issue the appropriate certificates. This, in combination with our high standards, ensures that our vessels, our crew, and our maritime operations are safe.
“Safety will always have the highest priority”.
Get to know
M/S “Reine”
NEW TECHNOLOGY
In 2001 we installed two hydrophones (underwater microphones) which today are the most important pieces of our equipment to find whales.
When we reach the whale ground, we turn the hydrophones on and start listening for echolocation clicks produced by sperm whales when they communicate, navigate and search for prey. By hearing these clicks, we manage to follow the whales from the surface until they come up to the surface to breath. This is an advantage for the whales and for us. When following the whales, the engine is always at very low power to avoid disturbing them (advantage for the whales). By using the hydrophones we always know if we have a whale underwater, and when the whale surfaces we are normally 100-200 metres away, so it is very easy to approach the whale (advantage for us). So our technique is to wait on the surface for the whale to show up again. In case the whale clicks are clear, we always play them on the loudspeakers so everybody can hear them.
M/S ”Reine” SPECIFICATIONS
IMO-number: 5292440
Trade area: Liten kystfart (trade area 5)
Class: NMD (Norwegian Maritime Authorities)
Building year: 1949
Builder: Em. Moen & Søn Båtbyggeri, Risør
Building number: 156
Building material: Wood
Length: 30 m
Breadth: 6,8 m
Draft: 3,25 m
Gross tonnage: 176
Displacement: 181 tonnes (light ship)
Engine: Cummins, 6 cylindres, 640 BHP (471 kW)
Maximum speed: 10,5 knots
Capacity: 80 passengers
EARLY HISTORY
The construction of M/S Reine began before the second world war. And was first completed in 1949. Originally Reine was going to be used as seal hunting vessel, but Reine was instead sold to Vesteraalens Steamship Company and used as a passenger boat in Lofoten and Vesterålen.
TO WHALESAFARI
Over the years Reine underwent several refits and then used as a guard and fishing vessel. When Maan Sjøfart A/S purchased it in 1991, the boat was not in a good shape any more. A significant work effort and funding were necessary to refit and renew the vessel, and in 1992 it started its adventure with Whalesafari A/S. Since then it has been the main whale-watching vessel. Reine has been upgraded and adapted continuously in terms of safety and comfort for our passengers.
Get to know
M/S “Maan Dolphin”
History
M/S “Maan Dolphin” (earlier M/S “Røværfjord”) was built in 2000 as passenger ship, to operate the route between Haugesund and the island of Røvær carrying both people and cargo. The ship operated route traffic until 2019, when it was sold to Maan Sjøfart AS.
TO WHALESAFARI
Maan Sjøfart bought the ship for whale safaris to replace M/S “Maan Explorer”, which had been used together with M/S “Reine” since 2015. M/S “Maan Dolphin” has better facilities, and will contribute to give our passengers a better experience out at sea, making it possible to spend the time needed to reach the whale grounds, and to return from there, in a warm and dry lounge enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.
Maan Dolphin has been equipped with hydrophones like our other boats, in order to listen to the sperm whales.
If the name “Maan Dolphin” sounds familiar, it is true, since a catamaran with the same name was used in the period 2008-2014.
M/S ”Maan Dolphin” SPECIFICATIONS
IMO-number: 8650241
Trade area: Liten kystfart (trade area 5)
Class: NMD (Norwegian Maritime Authorities)
Building year: 2000
Builder: Eurobåt AS, Deknepollen, Norway
Hull builder: Brødrene Aa AS, Hyen, Norway
Building number: 5
Building material: Glass fibre/sandwich (GRP)
Length: 25,85 m
Breadth: 6,1 m
Draft: 2 m
Gross tonnage: 110
Displacement: 50 tonnes (light ship)
Engine: 2 x CAT 3412E, 16 cylindres 878 BHP (646 kW)
Maximum speed: 19,9 knots
Capacity: 84 passengers
Hvalsafari AS in Andenes is the worlds biggest and best operator of Arctic whale safari!