I must admit that bombing along at 30 Knots (about 35 mph) in a rescue standard Zodiac rib was pretty special into today’s calm conditions but then came the Maelstrom and wow what an exhilarating experience this proved to be. So first let me explain where and what this is all about as we enter what is claimed to be the fastest tidal race in the world.
The water speeds in the Saltstraumen tidal current reach 22 knots (25 mph). It is situated about 19 miles southeast of Bodø and is the point where the Skjerstad Fjord in the eastern part of Bodø passes through the Saltstraumen - a narrow passageway between the mainland and an outer island - into the Salt Fjord and on into the Vest Fjord.
At this narrow point and under the Road Bridge – that I visited in the afternoon for a view from above of the Maelstrom – the depth of water is only 19 meters compared with hundreds of metres on either side. At the fastest point some 400,000 cubic metres of water an hour is flowing across this ridge forcing water from the depths upwards at over 40 mph. It is these strong upward currents that create the whirlpools which can be 4 – 5 metres wide with a vortex of maybe 3 metres depth. Luckily these vortices do not last more then a few seconds because of the rapid tidal flow.
Shooting these whirlpools at 30 knots in the Zodiacs was amazing and very safe with our experienced drivers!!
No comments:
Post a Comment