Safety during landings

LANDINGS WITH ZODIACS

Always pay attention to your Expedition Leader and guides. Do not hesitate to ask them if you have questions regarding the landing procedures. Passengers must be aware of certain regulations involving the Zodiacs in order to ensure safety in our operations. A briefing will also be given by our guides.

• The boat driver oversees the boat and its operations. His/her instructions must always be followed. 
• Always wear the life jackets provided when in the rubber boat. This is for your safety and is required at all times regardless of weather and sea conditions.
• Accept the helping hands of crew members and drivers when stepping into or out of the rubber boat at the ship’s gangway. Keep both hands free for this operation, and use the “Sailor’s grip” (i.e., grip each other by the wrist).
• Minimise the number of items you bring into the rubber boat. Backpacks are ideal for loose items such as cameras, binoculars, medication etc. It allows you to have both hands free.
• If you have a loose item, it should be handed to the driver/crew member before embarking/disembarking the rubber boat.
• There will be wet landings (you will need to wade ashore). We advise passengers to wear rubber boots and appropriate waterproof clothing as protection from sea spray or rain when in the rubber boats. Use a waterproof bag (or bring along a small plastic bag) to protect items such as cameras and binoculars.
  
  

WILDLIFE AND NATURE

• When ashore, always stay with your group and your guides. For your safety, never wander off on your own.
• Watch your step and keep to established paths when possible. In cold and dry habitats, the recovery of plants is very slow.
• Be extremely careful among breeding colonies or ground nesting birds.
  Approach wildlife slowly when taking photographs and retreat from the subject just as carefully.
• Never disturb wildlife for the sake of a photograph.
• Be careful not to startle or chase any bird from its nest. Your attention to a nesting or moulting bird should never be prolonged when a predator is in the vicinity.
• Monitor your surroundings and be sensitive to any disruption you may be causing. If an animal shows signs of distress or avoidance, move away.
  Look but never touch. These are wild animals going about their daily business. We wish to observe natural behaviour in its natural state.
• Never feed wild animals.
• Never pet or feed a sled dog.
• In order not to introduce new species into Greenland, please wash your boots at home and make sure that no seeds are included in the packaging or clothing (pockets, Velcro, etc).
• Return all litter to the ship for proper disposal. This includes litter of all types.
  It is not allowed to collect natural souvenirs such as shells, rocks, feathers, bones or fossils.
• Keep noise level to a minimum.
• Never smoke ashore on nature landings.