Breaking Through: Our First Greenland Ice Anchorage

After crossing the formidable Greenland Strait in early August 2024, we encountered our first ice anchorage in a small fjord along Greenland's eastern coastline. The approach initially appeared impossible - a substantial landslide dominated the left side while impressive icebergs clustered to the right, seemingly blocking any entrance.

As Perola do Mar drew closer, what had looked like an impenetrable wall began to transform. A narrow passage gradually revealed itself between towering cliffs. Our steel schooner carefully navigated this hidden entrance until we reached the calm, protected waters at the fjord's end, where we dropped anchor in approximately 15 meters of depth.

The overnight stay brought both wonder and vigilance. Throughout the darkness, icebergs performed a slow, unpredictable dance around our vessel, driven by the complex interplay of wind and currents. Several drifted uncomfortably close to our hull, requiring constant monitoring by the night watch who remained alert throughout the arctic summer night.

Morning revealed a new challenge as we discovered our exit route completely blocked by a dense band of ice fragments in various sizes. After weighing anchor, we tracked along this natural barrier for several nautical miles, searching for any viable passage back to open water.

Eventually, we identified a section where the ice narrowed to just a few dozen meters in width, with no major icebergs visible in the immediate vicinity. With careful planning and deliberate execution, Perola do Mar slowly pressed through this icy gateway. The expedition yacht's reinforced steel hull proved its worth, emerging without a single scratch or dent from this trial by ice.

Beyond this barrier lay relatively open waters that extended nearly to Scoresby Sund, one of Greenland's most magnificent fjord systems. The sense of accomplishment among our crew was palpable - we had successfully navigated our first true ice challenge in Greenlandic waters.

This initial encounter with East Greenland's ice conditions provided valuable experience for our team as we continued exploring this remote coastline where few sailing vessels venture. It became the first of many ice navigation stories that would define our Arctic expedition, teaching us the patience, vigilance and respect required when sailing in one of the world's most challenging maritime environments.