#the waters of skagerrak

[littlemissinkdrinker]

Sirens of the Norse Sea : The Waters of Skagerrak

Comic written by Francoise Ruscak and Gihef; orignial work by Isabelle Bauthian; artists Phil Briones and Marco Dominici; and translators Ben Croze and Victoria Pierce.... Sadly this comic fell flat for me.

I loved the art style. I loved the creatures. I found the pacing to be really off in the second half and I hated the love triangle story line. And I didn't like any of the main characters except for the sirens. The Jarl's kid and the half troll were just plain annoying once they started getting messy with their feelings. The world has a lot of potential and I just felt like the juvenile high-school cheating and love triangle was a really weak angle to go with.

Read : Nov 20th, 2022

Rating : 2 stars

[alwayswonderingandwandering]

horizon

[shieldfoss]

Love a Net Zero Info post but in fact you can see some oceans meet even if the photos supplied in that post were of something else.

This:

is the interface between Skagerrak* and Kattegat** where they meet north of Skagen, Jutland.

The picture does not quite do justice to reality - when you're there in person, the wavefront where the two waters meet is more obvious (Or - can be. I'm sure there are still days, but I've been there in person and it was more visible to me that there were two waters meeting)

*The eastern-most part of the North Sea ** Western-most part of the Baltic Sea

[mariacallous]

It was only a matter of time before Russia’s fast-growing shadow fleet, a group of vessels whose owners do their utmost to conceal their identity while carrying oil to evade sanctions on Moscow, started becoming a serious maritime risk. Russian vessels are now regularly turning down pilotage in Danish waters, the Financial Times reports—a practice that not only breaches maritime etiquette but could also lead to a disastrous accident.

The collision involving a container ship and Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in the United States on March 26 demonstrates the dangers involved when bulky ships vessels through difficult waters. Indeed, the Dali struck the bridge despite being steered by two pilots. Even if just a small share of vessels turn down pilotage, similar disasters risk becoming commonplace.

International maritime rules strongly recommend the use of pilots with specialized local knowledge for most vessels sailing through Denmark’s Great Belt, the narrow passage between the country’s largest islands. The Great Belt is not just narrow—it also has treacherous waters and is extremely busy: Every year, some 70,000 vessels pass through the Great Belt and the nearby Sound (Oresund), which sits between the shores of Denmark and Sweden.  It’s standard practice to follow international maritime recommendations and take on an experienced local pilot when it comes to difficult navigation routes, whether that’s the Great Belt or the Suez Canal.

The Geography of the Danish Straits

For the sake of maritime order and safety, Copenhagen could block ships that refuse pilotage. That, though, might trigger a standoff with Russia—if Moscow admits its role as a patron of the shadow fleet. Indeed, blocking these rule-breaking vessels would itself violate international maritime rules. Before forcing such a choice, however, the open-source intelligence community could help by revealing the identities and whereabouts of shadow vessels’ owners.

Since the beginning of this year, at least 20 tankers that are suspected to be shadow vessels transporting Russian oil have refused to take Danish pilots on board, according to internal reports leaked to the Financial Times and the Danish research group Danwatch.

That’s at least 20 tankers that have sailed through the Baltic Sea—in most cases via the Gulf of Finland, passing through the exclusive economic zones of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Germany—into Danish waters and the Great Belt, from which they have traveled on to Kattegat (comprising Danish and Swedish waters) and Skagerrak (Danish and Norwegian waters) and into the North Sea and the oceans that will bring them to their buyers in countries such as India and China.

Shadow vessels are clapped-out ships that spend their last remaining years providing transportation to and from sanctioned countries that official vessels and their owners won’t touch. The risk that these and other dark vessels pose to coastal states is further increased by the fact that they sail under the flags of countries unlikely to come to anyone’s aid if they cause accidents or incidents (Gabon is a particular favorite) and don’t undergo regular maintenance. Any accident—be it a collision or an oil leak—is likely to be doubly disastrous as a result.

Add to that the fact that their owners are hard to track down—and that they lack proper insurance. If a shadow vessel were to sustain a massive oil spill in, say, Finnish waters, Finnish authorities and taxpayers would end up on the hook. And shadow vessels are more likely than law-abiding ones to be involved in accidents since they frequently turn off their AIS (automatic identification system), a GPS-like navigation tool that allows vessels to see one another.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s attempts—often successful—to avoid sanctions have caused the shadow fleet to balloon; it’s currently thought to encompass some 1,400 vessels, though like all illicit activities, it’s impossible to measure precisely. (My report about the shadow fleet from last December provides an in-depth examination of the ships and the threats posed by them.)

If oil spills do occur, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds assist the countries affected. But if oil and other toxic spills increase substantially, as they’re likely to do as a result of the shadow fleet, the fund won’t have enough money to compensate everyone.

So should Denmark simply block shadow vessels refusing pilotage, or all shadow vessels for that matter?

Not so fast. Yes, shadow vessels violate international maritime rules and conventions—but the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) gives all vessels the right of so-called innocent passage, meaning the right to sail through other countries’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The fact that shadow vessels violate maritime rules doesn’t give coastal states the right to violate the rules in turn.

And, noted retired Rear Adm. Nils Wang—a former chief of the Danish Navy, which also covers a range of coast guard tasks—“according to international law, the Danish Straits are international straits and are not under Danish jurisdiction. For this reason, too, Denmark doesn’t have the legal right to force ships to use pilots.”

Though most ships follow the IMO’s recommendations and use pilotage, for which they pay a fee, over the years there have been some cheapskates that turned down pilotage.  In some cases, those ships caused oil spills. “Every time there’s a leak from a vessel that didn’t use pilotage, there’s an outcry to ban offenders, but we can’t,” Wang said.

Then, in the mid-2010s, the number of cheapskates traveling without pilotage grew.

Danish authorities got creative and announced that if ships with drafts (the amount that the extends beneath the waterline) of more than 11 meters (about 36 feet) didn’t request pilotage, then the Danish authorities would call them on VHF, the radio used by sailors, and remind them that they weren’t following international recommendations, and that Denmark would report them to their flag state and the IMO.

What’s more, a call on VHF allows every vessel in the vicinity to hear the conversation. “And then we started doing it,” Wang said. “And it changed behavior, because it was embarrassing for the ships and the captains to be called out like this. But if you’re part of the dark fleet, you don’t give a damn. Calling these vessels out won’t make a difference.”

Coastal states do have the right to block access in their territorial waters in certain cases—such as if transiting vessels are in poor repair or lack proper insurance. But when nations agreed and signed UNCLOS in 1982, a situation in which a country systematically evades globalization-based economic sanctions by using a fleet of dark vessels was inconceivable.

In response to the emergency of the shadow fleet, the world’s UNCLOS signatories could convene to make pilotage in sensitive waters mandatory. But such negotiations would take a long time, and under the current geopolitical conditions may never reach a conclusion. And because the Danish Straits are international waters, Denmark can’t impose new rules on its own.

This is globalization in a fiercely geopolitical era: Russia can invade Ukraine and evade the resulting sanctions by means of a fleet that sails through law-abiding countries’ waters—and their governments can��t stop it. On the contrary, with Russia now having joined Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea in using a shadow fleet, more countries will conclude that misbehaving and incurring economic sanctions is no big deal. And trade using dark vessels is cheaper than using legally operating ones.

An even larger shadow fleet would, of course, increase the risks both for marine wildlife and regular shipping. If a Russian shadow vessel collides in the Danish Straits with a legal merchant vessel, or even a Danish Navy vessel, what would Denmark do? What would NATO do?

But for now, there’s one group of dark-fleet operators that can be targeted completely legally and without risk of geopolitical escalation: the shadow vessels’ owners. They are plentiful and hide behind post office box addresses in countries such as the United Arab Emirates—because they don’t want to emerge from the shadows.

On the good side in this standoff, though, we have a large and growing community of open-source investigators, both professionals and amateurs. These investigators should take on a good deed for the global maritime order and investigate shadow-vessel owners, then share their identity and activities. Some may be hardened criminals immune to the embarrassment of public scrutiny, but many others may simply be ordinary businesspeople who have spotted an opportunity.

Just as with the ships once called out on Danish radio, public shame may be one way to force people to act for the better.

[sjvllsblog]

The Polish Navy submarine ORP Orzeł in the base at Rosyth, January 1940.

ORP Orzeł was the lead ship of her class of submarines serving in the Polish Navy during World War II. Her name means "Eagle" in Polish. The boat is best known for the Orzeł incident, her escape from internment in neutral Estonia during the early stages of the Second World War.

Orzeł was laid down 14 August 1936 at the Dutch shipyard De Schelde, as the Job No. 205; launched on 15 January 1938, and commissioned on 2 February 1939. She was a modern design (designed by the joint venture of Polish and Dutch engineers), albeit quite large for the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea.

Orzeł departed on her seventh patrol on 23 May 1940, to the central North Sea. On 1 and 2 June a radio message was transmitted from Rosyth ordering her to alter her patrol area and proceed to the Skagerrak. No radio signals had been received from her since she had sailed, and on 5 June she was ordered to return to base. She never acknowledged reception, and never returned to base. 8 June 1940 was officially accepted as the day of her loss. Although various theories exist regarding her loss, and it is commonly believed that she ran onto a mine in the Skagerrak, the true cause of her loss remains unknown to this day. There is the possibility that Orzeł may have been sunk either by a British minefield or by an adjacent German minefield, or mistakenly attacked by a British airplane.

Between 2008 and 2017 a number of Polish expeditions, both private and public-funded, searched the region of North Sea where she went missing with the hope of finding her final resting place. Wrecks of various other ships have been located, but Orzeł has not been among them and ultimately the fate of the ship remains a mystery.

(Colour: Mateusz Prociak)

(Polish Navy in colour)

[marryabroadsimply]

Why Get Married in Denmark

How, Why and Where are three common questions when we are trying to find out about something. So we have made 3 blogs that answer those specific questions! How to get married in Denmark, Where to marry in Denmark so in this blog we will explain why marry in Denmark.

So let me go through my list of reasons; (of course there are hundreds!)

The documents that are required to get married are Denmark are fewer than other countries making it the easiest country to get married in Europe.

If you are a widow or widower, you must have an original death certificate legalised to with accordance to the Hague Convention.

All documents need to be in either English, German, or Danish.

That is all, no birth certificates and no martial status.. for the vast majority of our couples the documents you need to get married in Denmark are already to hand, making the time of first contact to the date of application a matter of days!

Making it even quicker to be able to see the wonderful registrars face as you go to get married!

Document presentation in Copenhagen City hall

Quick timescales..

We are the quickest, most responsive and effective agency there, and we are not simply saying that to grab attention, we are and we will move heaven and earth to stick to your timescales.. We listen to YOUR story and understand YOUR situation.. Allowing you to marry in as little as 2 weeks from application, so you can enjoy your day with no stress..

Since the reform in the Danish government in January 2019, the process is simple and easy. There are no grey areas at to the documents that you need, all the applications are managed by a central government agency so it’s easy to see where you are in the application process. Once approved your ‘permission to marry’ is sent electronically to the town hall where you will be marrying and then you can book your appointment. Granted if you are applying directly the channels of communication may not be a clear, and it is advisable to choose a reliable wedding planner to help you with the process.

Stress free wedding in Denmark

Denmark is a progressive thinking country..

Denmark is well known for it’s liberal thinking, it was the 12th country in the world to make same sex marriages legal. Championing the thinking of equality for all.

It has become one of the easiest places to marry in the world allowing for International couples to marry with an uncomplicated list of documents needed to marry. The ceremonies are non religious, yet fully legal.

Denmark was one of the first countries to allow same sex marriage

It is a beautiful country..

Denmark itself is a stunning country you have almost every landscape that you can wish for apart from mountains the highest point of land in Denmark is only 171metres high! The coastline is amazing and the beaches are straight from a dramatic movie. The country is made up of 406 islands the majority are uninhibited.

Copenhagen, and all the cities are cool, cosmopolitan, environmentally friendly and have historic tales from monuments that lead to great dinner table stories.

The smaller towns are stunning with often multi-coloured buildings still living their ancestory of fishing and crafts whilst remaining ‘cool’ and cultured.

Denmark still has 18 working lighthouses, these are all very important as except for the island of Bornholm, Denmark is located at the transition between North Sea and Baltic Sea which includes the Skagerrak and Kattegat waters. Dangerous seas for the ships and boats that pass the shoreline frequently.

When thinking of where to choose to marry in Denmark please see the blog Town Halls In Denmark Which one is Right for you. Some are city, some are coastal, some are on islands the choice is vast and you can have great fun choosing which one you want!

Town Hall weddings in Denmark are near stunning UNESCO sites

The Danes are wonderful..

Everytime we hear from our couples after they have been married they say “it was so beautiful” and “everyone was so lovely and helpful”. These comments always make our hearts jump. Getting married is nerve wracking, getting married abroad can be even more nerve wracking. You are going to a foreign country, for a lot of people it’s their first time in Denmark, not a lot of couples speak Danish so they will find themselves asking a lot of questions. The Danish are always so helpful, see this blog from “Study in Denmark” that help explains the way of thinking of the Danes. And always think of Hygge.

The History of the country..

Denmarks first writings are in 500ad, that is a long time ago and the history surrounding the country can be seen everywhere. Of course you have the Viking era that started in the 9th Centrury and can be seen in towns now such as Aarhus, a walled city that has the most incredible Viking museum! In the early 10th Century the Kingdom of Denmark was created and along with that came the castles and amazing sites that are now heritage sites. There is so much history, and can be read about here.

Location…

Denmark is situated between Sweden and Germany. Kastrup Airport which is just outside of the city centre is a major hub that accommodates long haul from all over the world and low cost airlines from all over Europe. It welcomes flights for 20 hours in every 24 hour period. In 2019 it hosted 33 million passengers. Denmark is part of mainland Europe and there are international rail routes which link Denmark to all of Northern Europe and Germany.

Eco Friendly..

Denmark has forever been committed to sustainability and being green and although Copenhagen, the countires capital is slowly becoming one of the worlds most innovative city with regards to being eco friendly, the rest of the country is also equally as committed. Naturkraft, they are so committed that in June of 2020 they are openning the worlds first sustainable theme park called A theme park dedicated to the powers of nature is set to open on 50 hectares of former seabed right next to the city of Ringkøbing in West Jutland. Reportedly the world’s first such theme park, Naturkraft seeks to instil in its visitors a greater awareness and appreciation of the powers of nature — and encourage sustainable living.

There are so many wonderful reasons to marry in Denmark, from the romantic notions of the country to the practicalities of getting there, moving around once there, to the sensible reasons of quick stress free documents for your wedding!

Get married on a Danish Island or a beach

Why wouldn’t you marry there? For a little visual inspiration, please see our pinterest board Getting Married in Denmark.

If you would like more information on how to get married in Denmark from an expert wedding planner in Copenhagen, and a free no obligation documents list — then please contact us anytime on interest@marryabroadsimply.com or +447934933356 or whats app +4571493483

[iilssnet]

Analyzing Norway-Sweden Maritime Disputes: Exploring Tensions in Nordic Waters

Analyzing Norway-Sweden Maritime Disputes: Exploring Tensions in Nordic Waters === Maritime disputes have long been a source of contention between neighboring countries, and the tension between Norway and Sweden over their shared waters is no exception. This article aims to delve into the historical context, legal framework, territorial claims, economic interests, political implications, and prospects for resolution surrounding the Norway-Sweden maritime disputes. ===HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Historical Context of Norway-Sweden Maritime Disputes === The Norway-Sweden maritime disputes have roots that can be traced back to the 17th century when both countries sought to establish their control over the rich fishing grounds and shipping routes in the North Sea and the Skagerrak Strait. These disputes intensified during the Napoleonic Wars, as both countries vied for control over strategic maritime territories. ===LEGAL FRAMEWORK: Examining the Legal Framework: UNCLOS and Bilateral Agreements === The legal framework governing maritime disputes between Norway and Sweden primarily relies on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, both countries have also entered into bilateral agreements to resolve specific issues. These agreements have played a crucial role in delineating boundaries and defining the rights and responsibilities of both nations in the disputed waters. ===TERRITORIAL CLAIMS: Mapping Territorial Claims: Key Areas of Dispute === The maritime disputes between Norway and Sweden primarily revolve around the delineation of their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the delimitation of their continental shelves. Key areas of dispute include the Tysfjord region, the Varangerfjord area, and the southern part of the Skagerrak Strait. These areas are potentially rich in natural resources, making their ownership and control highly significant. ===RESOURCE EXPLORATION: Resource Exploration: Economic Interests at Stake === The Norway-Sweden maritime disputes are driven, to a large extent, by the economic interests at stake. Both countries have a keen interest in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas reserves, as well as valuable fish stocks in these disputed waters. The potential economic benefits have intensified the competition for control over these resources, further exacerbating the tensions between the two nations. ===POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS: Political Implications: Nationalism and Sovereignty Concerns === The maritime disputes between Norway and Sweden have significant political implications. These disputes often fuel nationalist sentiments, as both countries assert their sovereignty and national identity. The control over the disputed waters is seen as a symbol of national pride and the ability to protect and utilize national resources. This has led to heightened political rhetoric and occasional escalations in tension between the two nations. ===RESOLUTION PROSPECTS: Prospects for Resolution: Diplomatic Efforts and Mediation === Resolving the Norway-Sweden maritime disputes requires diplomatic efforts and mediation. Both countries have engaged in negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution. The involvement of international organizations, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or mediation by neutral third parties, has been suggested as a means to facilitate a resolution. However, finding a compromise that satisfies both nations' interests while upholding international law remains a significant challenge. Towards a Peaceful Coexistence === The Norway-Sweden maritime disputes continue to be a complex and multifaceted issue. Understanding the historical context, examining the legal framework, mapping territorial claims, considering economic interests, and evaluating the political implications are all essential in comprehending the dynamics of these disputes. With diplomatic efforts and a commitment to finding mutually agreeable solutions, there is hope that Norway and Sweden can navigate these tensions and achieve a peaceful coexistence in the Nordic waters. Read the full article

[ltwilliammowett]

A message in a bottle

A Message in a bottle is something very special today, and the curiosity to find out what the writer had left behind is particularly great, and usually it was a nice happy message. Unlike today, the messages back then were not happy ones. The news should begin with the Greek Theophrastus, who put small messages in amphora and asked for a reply from the finder in order to study the movement of water. Christopher Columbus is also said to have put a message to King Ferdinand in a small barrel when he was afraid of sinking during a storm in 1493. Unfortunately for him, the messages never arrived, but he himself survived the storm. In the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I also came up with the idea of introducing the office of the uncorker of ocean bottles. His task was to collect all the bottles and open them, because there was a belief that spies tried to send secrets this way.

On 28 September 1875, the schooner Maria Helena under the command of Captain Arend B. Schumacher (1837-1913) was caught in a hurricane while sailing in the Skagerrak. The ship sprung a leak and before it capsized, Schumacher wrote this message and a farewell letter to his family. All his men drowned, but he himself saved himself on the cabin roof. A few days later he was rescued by a Swedish brig, and a few days later a fisherman found the bottle and sent it to the German embassy in Oslo, which forwarded it to the family.

Translation of the message:

Dear Sara and children. I am writing these lines in the last hour of my life. It is Tuesday 28 September at 1 a.m., a gale from the WNW, and our ship must have sprung a leak due to heavy seas. We pump all night with all our pumps, but we still have 4 feet of water in the hold. We want to try to get to Sweden. But little hope. May the good Lord have mercy on us. I am confident. Dear parents, do not leave my wife and children. Farewell. - Photo by me- IMM Hamburg

In fact, messages in bottles were written as SOSs or calls for help from shipwrecked sailors or sailors in distress hoping for help. If such a message was found, it had to be handed in immediately to the local authorities, who took care of everything else and forwarded the message to the consul, who then decided whether help was necessary or not.

Another message from the late 19th century:

Dear Parents, 3 Feb. (1898)9 am. We are in an extremely critical situation & we don't know if we will survive the same. Yesterday we had a collision with the Hamburg barque Poncho, which hit us in the stern & caused 2 holes below deck. As a result, we could no longer continue our voyage because of the extremely high seas before the wind & had to turn the ship both ways during the night to such an extent that the collision bulkhead between Provisions Room No. IV was damaged by the seas pushing in & No. IV room ran full of water. We are now only dependent on the pumps & the question is whether they will be able to cope with the water. there is still a NW storm & terribly high seas, a steamer is close by, but it cannot give us any help in the high seas. Take this as the last message. Farewell, may heaven protect us. Your son T. Breckwoldt on board the Hamburg steamer Karnak. - The young man survived the accident, unlike the crew of the Poncho. - Photo by me- IMM Hamburg

But also emigrants or inhabitants of very small islands sent messages in bottles. They would add some money or tobacco in the hope that the finder would pass the message on to the person on land.

The sending of messages in bottles became particularly popular in the work of Edgar Allen Poe, MS. Found in a Bottle, 1833, or Charles Dickens' A Messages from the Sea, 1860. this even caused a real bottle craze, as people hoped to receive nice replies from abroad.

So do today's mailers or stamp collectors hoping to get a message back with a foreign stamp.

[xhxhxhx]

The Norwegian Campaign started off as a Anglo-French plot against a small neutral nation. The British were already en route when they discovered that the Germans had invaded the country first.

Richard Allport, Britain at Bay (Knopf, 2020):

The idea of intervening in Norway had been floating about in Franco-British conversations since the beginning of the war and became entangled with the issue of the USSR’s invasion of Finland in November 1939, but at its heart it was a project to tighten the economic screws on Germany. The Third Reich relied for much of its iron ore supply on imports from Sweden, which throughout the warmer months of the year were transportable across the Baltic Sea. But between October and April the Baltic route was unavailable because of ice, and so the ore was trans-shipped by rail across to the northern Norwegian port of Narvik instead, and from there ferried down the Skjaergaard coastal corridor in Norwegian territorial waters to Denmark’s Jutland peninsula before being delivered to Hamburg and Bremen. The [Ministry of Economic Warfare] claimed that this iron ore source was so critical to Germany’s economy that blockading the Norwegian route during the winter could ‘end the war in a few months’.

Churchill, who as First Lord of the Admiralty would take the leading role in a naval expedition across the North Sea, argued forcefully for landing troops at Narvik and perhaps other western Norwegian ports. Knowing his audience, he pitched the idea to the War Cabinet as a way of bringing the war swiftly, cheaply and bloodlessly to an end: ‘no other measure is open to us,’ he wrote in December, ‘which gives so good a chance of abridging the waste and destruction of the conflict, or of perhaps preventing the vast slaughters which will attend the grapple of the main armies.’ But blockading the Skjaergaard and occupying Narvik would be a blatant violation of Norwegian sovereignty. Britain was, after all, supposed to be fighting the war to defend the very principles of international law that it was now proposing to break. What would other neutrals like the United States think? Churchill was unmoved by what he saw as this pedantic objection. ‘Small nations must not tie our hands when we are fighting for their rights and freedom,’ he insisted.

Arguments about the pros and cons of the idea dragged on throughout the winter. It was not until the meeting of the Anglo-French Supreme War Council on 28 March 1940 that the go-ahead was finally given. By this date the Swedish Baltic ports were on the verge of reopening again for the year, which meant that an expedition to Norway could not possibly have any short-term economic consequences for Germany even if everything went exactly to plan. Quite why it was still considered to be a good idea is unclear. Reynaud pushed hard for the project: perhaps he just needed some evidence of Allied belligerence to prop up his shaky parliamentary position back in Paris.

But Hitler had decided to pre-empt action against the Narvik iron ore route by invading Norway and Denmark himself. On the morning of 8 April, as Royal Navy destroyers began laying mines off the approaches to Narvik, German troops were already embarked on troopships in the Skagerrak. The following day they seized Oslo and Copenhagen. What had begun for the Allies as something perilously close to an act of unprovoked aggression against a peaceful neutral state had become, by accident, an emergency intervention to save Norway from German occupation.

[rabbitcruiser]

On my Way to Sweden (No. 2)

The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area includes the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, without calling Kattegat a part of the Baltic Sea, "For the purposes of this Convention the 'Baltic Sea Area' shall be the Baltic Sea and the Entrance to the Baltic Sea, bounded by the parallel of the Skaw in the Skagerrak at 57°44.43'N."

Historically, the Kingdom of Denmark collected Sound Dues from ships at the border between the ocean and the land-locked Baltic Sea, in tandem: in the Øresund at Kronborg castle near Helsingør; in the Great Belt at Nyborg; and in the Little Belt at its narrowest part then Fredericia, after that stronghold was built. The narrowest part of Little Belt is the "Middelfart Sund" near Middelfart.

Geographers widely agree that the preferred physical border of the Baltic is a line drawn through the southern Danish islands, Drogden-Sill and Langeland. The Drogden Sill is situated north of Køge Bugt and connects Dragør in the south of Copenhagen to Malmö; it is used by the Øresund Bridge, including the Drogden Tunnel. By this definition, the Danish Straits is part of the entrance, but the Bay of Mecklenburg and the Bay of Kiel are parts of the Baltic Sea. Another usual border is the line between Falsterbo, Sweden, and Stevns Klint, Denmark, as this is the southern border of Øresund. It's also the border between the shallow southern Øresund (with a typical depth of 5–10 meters only) and notably deeper water.

Drogden Sill (depth of 7 m (23 ft)) sets a limit to Øresund and Darss Sill (depth of 18 m (59 ft)), and a limit to the Belt Sea. The shallow sills are obstacles to the flow of heavy salt water from the Kattegat into the basins around Bornholm and Gotland.

The Kattegat and the southwestern Baltic Sea are well oxygenated and have a rich biology. The remainder of the Sea is brackish, poor in oxygen, and in species. Thus, statistically, the more of the entrance that is included in its definition, the healthier the Baltic appears; conversely, the more narrowly it is defined, the more endangered its biology appears.

Source: Wikipedia

[theparliamenthouse]

Take a plunge into one of our mermaid-inspired novels written by Chantal Gadoury @chantalgadouryauthor - 

BETWEEN THE SEA AND STARS: 

A Legend, A Magical Shell A Girl Who Dreamed Of Something More... Lena, a Merrow girl, lives in the Skagerrak sea with her father, Carrick and her brother, Javelin who tells her of the legend of the Merrow Queen murdered by her human lover when greed takes over. But what’s worth spilling the queen’s blood? Gifted from Poseidon, himself, a magic shell gives any human the ability to control both land and sea. When Javelin is called to join a clan of Merrow soldiers bent on protecting their waters from human invasion, Lena resists Merrow law and ventures to the shore with no choice but to swim to land. With newfound legs, Lena is whisked away on a new adventure with new friends and new trouble. Everyone seems to want something from her as intrigue lurks around every corner. Trying her best to hide who she is and remain safe from the dangers of the human world, will Lena finally find where she belongs, or will she be swept into a strong and stormy current by lust, greed, and jealousy?

[alwayswonderingandwandering]

world water day

[csnews]

Group of killer whales spotted north of Denmark

CS News Admin - January 29, 2019

On January 20, 2019, a group of bird watchers spotted a group of five killer whales in Skagerrak while bird watching in Skagen, Denmark. The waters north of Skagen, which is the most northern part of Denmark, are home to multiple species of cetacean that otherwise are rare visitors of Danish waters. It is not the first time that killer whales have been spotted by bird watchers north of Skagen.  

[jeopardangelo]

Welcome to day 7 of the Second Chance Tournament! We have Tom Philipose, Alicia O’Hare, and Jack Weller. Jack had a strong lead, but Alicia was over ½ than what he had in Jeopardy! round. In THE ELEMENTS, Jack found the round’s Daily Double, he bet $4,000 out of his $5,000 and came up with the correct question. There were 5 rebounds in the round. Going into Double Jeopardy!, Jack had $9,200, Alicia had $6,200, and Tom had $2,400. In Double Jeopardy, Alicia and Jack had a crushing lead, but Tom made a close comeback, but it turns out at the last minute, Jack made it into a runaway. In REVOLTS, Jack found the round’s 1st Daily Double, he bet $5,000 out of his $12,000 and came up with the correct question. In ESSAY QUESTIONS, Jack found the round’s 2nd Daily Double, he bet $3,000 out of his $17,000 and came up with the correct question. There were 5 triple stumpers and 2 rebounds in the round. Going into Final Jeopardy!, Jack had $26,400, Alicia had $13,000, and Tom had $10,000. The category was BODIES OF WATER. The clue was, “The Kattegat & Skagerrak Straits separate these 2 seas”. Tom came up with, “What are the Caspian and Black Sea?”, which are incorrect and bet $3,001, which dropped him down to $6,999. Alicia came up with, “What are the North and Atlantic Sea?”, the North Sea was correct, but the Atlantic Sea was incorrect and went “all-in”, she is broke and is now in 3rd place. Jack came up with, “What are the Baltic and North Seas?”, which are correct and bet $100, which took him to $26,500. Jack Weller moves on to the finals! Tom Philipose receives $2,000 for 2nd place, and Alicia O’Hare receives $1,000 for 3rd place. @jeopardy #kenjennings #secondchancetournament #recap #2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkKQNpuuFQp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[boutiquemains]

Pictures of deep blue shark with divers

The following rakning is sorted after criteria which are in our opinion the most relevant for divers. We were evaluating the most important criteria when someone aspires to dive with blue sharks, namely: Making sure your patience is not tested for too long… Criteria to Rank the Best Places to Dive with Blue Sharks We show you the places on this planet where you are circled by these magnificent and elegant creatures rather sooner than later. Suddenly, the silhouettes of the blue sharks turn into detailed pictures just in front of your eye and are in reach, but before you know it they have turned around, Often, a blue shark dive is experienced as the following: Divers hang in the water between 20 and 30 meters and their patience is tested before, if you are lucky, dark shadows arise in the distance coming closer and closer. Also, divers must always pay attention to their depth and orientation.ĭo you like diving with sharks? Have a look at our recent article about Great White Shark Diving. Generally, it is recommended to have great buoyancy control. It means waiting in the endless blue, but as wise men say, patience and endurance are the keys to the highest rewards.Īs most blue shark dives are conducted in blue waters without any orientation during the dive, they should not be taken lightly. Best Places to Dive with Blue Sharksīlue Sharks are at home in the open ocean, hence, diving with them often involves being “out there”. Unfortunately, indigestible garbage can also be found regularly in its stomach. In addition, it hunts smaller shark-types.įishery-remains thrown into the sea supplement their diet. The main part of its food represents fish of any size, mainly schools of fish such as herrings, mackerels, sardines or tunas. The blue shark, as a large deep-sea shark, eats almost everything it can capture. In the Pacific ocean, it can be found in all warm temperate areas. Also, in the Indian Ocean, blue sharks are occasionally found between the 35th and 13th southern latitude near the coast (for the ones of you who are into geography P). In the South Atlantic, the shark regularly occurs as a deep-sea species off South Africa and off the South American coast (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay). In the Northwest Atlantic, it is mainly found far off the coast of Florida and the Antilles, where it is a summer guest in the Gulf of Maine, off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Blue sharks also populates the Mediterranean Sea and is a summer visitor to the North Sea, the Skagerrak, and waters off Norway. Very often blue sharks are sighted in the North Atlantic from the south coast of Great Britain to Senegal as well as around the Azores, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira. It occurs as a resident in all tropical to temperate sea areas and is probably the most widespread species of all sharks. The blue-shark lives usually off the coast-shelf and dives into a depth of approximately 350 meters. Let’s focus on just observing instead of overfishing them. Today, the blue shark is marked as near threatened by the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.Level of endangerment near threatenedīlue Sharks are incredibly gentle creatures towards humans. Hence, the rest of their bodies are mostly used for fish meal production. Aside from the fins, blue sharks are not particularly tasty. Decreasing the demand for this soup could already help to contribute conserving this beautiful and gentle shark species. Primarily, the shark’s fins are sought after by shark-fin soup enthusiasts. This makes the blue shark the most heavily caught fish on earth. Endangerment of Blue Sharksīlue Sharks are decreasing in number worldwide as 10 to 20 million sharks are killed per year by humans. Blue sharks are also incredible swimmers, traveling over 4000 miles within 3 months.īefore we dive in to where to find the most promising places to dive with blue sharks, let us give you some background information about them. In the recorded history of shark bites, which started in 1580, there have been only four fatal accidents – less than once every 100 years. Another characteristic of them, which makes them so attractive to dive with is there curious but gentle behavior. You can read the whole article from the beginning or jump straight to the most relevant chapter for you:įun Facts About Blue Sharks Get to Know Blue Sharksīlue sharks are a favorite for divers and underwater photographers for their beauty and speed. In this article, you learn all about blue sharks and where to dive with them. The Top 10 Fastest Animals in The World.The Top 10 Biggest Animals In The World.

[iilssnet]

About North Sea, facts and maps

The North Sea (historically also known as the German Ocean) is a part of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Norway and Denmark in the east, Scotland and England in the west, and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in the south. The North Sea is one of the world's most important fishing grounds. The sea is also rich in oil and gas. Anthropogenic impacts have been significant for many years. The North Sea is a body of water surrounded by the following countries: Norway – Vestlandet. Denmark – separating it from the Baltic Sea. Germany – the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, with ports at Bremerhaven and Hamburg. The North Sea lies between Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. An epeiric sea on the European continental shelf, it connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the English Channel in the south and the Norwegian Sea in the north. It is more than 970 kilometres (600 mi) long and 580 kilometres (360 mi) wide, covering 570,000 square kilometres (220,000 sq mi). It hosts key north European shipping lanes and is a major fishery. The coast is a popular destination for recreation and tourism in bordering countries, and a rich source of energy resources, including wind and wave power. The North Sea has featured prominently in geopolitical and military affairs, particularly in Northern Europe, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. It was also important globally through the power northern Europeans projected worldwide during much of the Middle Ages and into the modern era. The North Sea was the centre of the Vikings' rise. The Hanseatic League, the Dutch Republic, and the British each sought to gain command of the North Sea and access to the world's markets and resources. As Germany's only outlet to the ocean, the North Sea was strategically important through both World Wars. The coast has diverse geology and geography. In the north, deep fjords and sheer cliffs mark much of its Norwegian and Scottish coastlines respectively, whereas in the south, the coast consists mainly of sandy beaches, estuaries of long rivers and wide mudflats. Due to the dense population, heavy industrialisation, and intense use of the sea and the area surrounding it, there have been various environmental issues affecting the sea's ecosystems. Adverse environmental issues – commonly including overfishing, industrial and agricultural runoff, dredging, and dumping, among others – have led to several efforts to prevent degradation and to safeguard the long-term economic benefits. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the North Sea as follows: On the Southwest. A line joining the Walde Lighthouse (France, 1°55'E) and Leathercoat Point (England, 51°10'N). On the Northwest. From Dunnet Head (3°22'W) in Scotland to Tor Ness (58°47'N) in the Island of Hoy, thence through this island to the Kame of Hoy (58°55'N) on to Breck Ness on Mainland (58°58'N) through this island to Costa Head (3°14'W) and Inga Ness (59'17'N) in Westray through Westray, to Bow Head, across to Mull Head (North point of Papa Westray) and on to Seal Skerry (North point of North Ronaldsay) and thence to Horse Island (South point of the Shetland Islands). On the North. From the North point (Fethaland Point) of the Mainland of the Shetland Islands, across to Graveland Ness (60°39'N) in the Island of Yell, through Yell to Gloup Ness (1°04'W) and across to Spoo Ness (60°45'N) in Unst island, through Unst to Herma Ness (60°51'N), on to the SW point of the Rumblings and to Muckle Flugga (60°51′N 0°53′W) all these being included in the North Sea area; thence up the meridian of 0°53' West to the parallel of 61°00' North and eastward along this parallel to the coast of Norway, the whole of Viking Bank is thus included in the North Sea. On the East. The Western limit of the Skagerrak . Why is North Sea so rough? Because the North Sea is shallow, with an average depth of less than 328 feet, its waters can get choppy -- a result of tidal patterns and storms. While all this churning brings up nutrients to the surface that help its marine life thrive, it's not ideal for cruising outside of the summer months. Which countries own the North Sea? While most reserves lie beneath waters belonging to the United Kingdom and Norway, some fields belong to Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany. Most oil companies have investments in the North Sea. Can you swim in North Sea? For example, the North Sea in the UK, which is on our doorstep, has very low sea temperatures, but that doesn't stop people from swimming in it. In fact, on the northeast coast of England, there are many beaches where you can swim in the icy water year-round!

Who owns oil in the North Sea? The Norwegian and British sectors hold most of the large oil reserves. It is estimated that the Norwegian sector alone contains 54% of the sea's oil reserves and 45% of its gas reserves. What is a North Sea danger? The North Sea is one of the most dangerous seas in the world. It has wild storms and foggy winters. Because the sea is mostly shallow, the currents are strong and often pull in different directions. Even though the North Sea can be dangerous, it is important to trade. Is North Sea a land?

Doggerland is a submerged land mass beneath what is now the North Sea, that once connected Britain to continental Europe. Named after the Dogger Bank, which in turn was named after the 17th-century Dutch fishing boats called doggers.

How warm is the water in the North Sea? Unsurprisingly the sea is colder in the northern extremes of the sea where temperatures reach an average low of around 6 °C (43 °F). The warmest summer temperatures are seen to the south and can regularly reach 18 °C (64 °F) in August. Is the North Sea very cold?

The waters of the North Sea are cold, ranging between 14 and 20 degrees C in the summer months. If you come from a country where the sea water temperature is above 22 degrees C all summer, and up to 26 degrees, it will be hard for you to swim in the chilly water of the North Sea. How deep is the North Sea? 700 m How much oil is left in North Sea? "The waters off the coast of the UK still contain oil and gas reserves equivalent to 15 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), enough to fuel the UK for 30 years, but more investment in exploration is needed to slow down the decline in domestic production to safeguard the nation's energy security.

Does the North Sea have fish?

Today mainly mackerel, Atlantic cod, whiting, coalfish, European plaice, and sole are caught. In addition, common shrimp, lobster, and crab, along with a variety of shellfish are harvested. Why is North Sea water brown? When the water looks murky or brown, it means there is a lot of mud, or sediment, in the water. Sediment particles can be so tiny that they take a long time to settle to the bottom, so they travel wherever the water goes. Rivers carry sediment into the bay, and waves and tides help keep the sediment suspended. Why do we sell North Sea oil? Currently 80% of North Sea oil is exported because there is little demand from the country's refineries for UK crude oil. But even gas – where there is domestic demand – is sold overseas. Does China own North Sea oil? Chinese investments in the North Sea China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC, has stakes in multiple North Sea oil fields including one of the UK's highest producers Buzzard. CNOOC has further stakes in Golden Eagle, and the combined platform which oversees the Scott, Telford and Rochelle fields. Why is North Sea oil so important? Over its lifetime, the North Sea has contributed approximately NOK 16.5 trillion ($1.82 trillion at the time of writing) in today's NOK to the economy. In 2021 alone, it made up 20% of GDP, 20% of government revenues, 20% of investments, and 50% of total exports. What lives at the bottom of the North Sea?

Worms, crustaceans and shellfish live in holes and tunnels under the surface of the sea floor. If you look closely, you can identify quite a lot of life on the bottom: crabs and sea snails, such as laver spire shells and periwinkles, crawl around. Lots of other animals are attached to stones or ship wrecks. Is the North Sea very polluted? New research led by Cambridge earth scientists has documented heavy metal pollution along the North Sea coast over the last century. The study, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, used dog whelks collected from the Belgian and Dutch foreshores as a tool to identify changes in lead pollution over time. What is the North Sea also called?

The North Sea (historically also known as the German Ocean) is a part of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Norway and Denmark in the east, Scotland and England in the west, and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in the south. Is Atlantis in the North Sea? While Plato's story explicitly locates Atlantis in the Atlantic Ocean near the Pillars of Hercules, location hypotheses include Helike, Thera, Troy, and the North Pole. Is the North Sea salt water? The salinity averages between 34 and 35 grams per litre (129 and 132 g/US gal) of water. The salinity has the highest variability where there is fresh water inflow, such as at the Rhine and Elbe estuaries, the Baltic Sea exit and along the coast of Norway. Is the North Sea nice?

Seemingly endless beaches, chugging ships passing by, warm sand between your toes: The view of the North Sea landscape is impressive. So it's not surprising that many vacationers struggle to decide where to go on the North Sea. All the beaches have a unique charm there, yet some stand out in particular. The North Sea is bounded by the Orkney Islands and east coast of Great Britain to the west and the northern and central European mainland to the east and south, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively. In the north it is bordered by the Shetland Islands, and connects with the Norwegian Sea, which is a marginal sea in the Arctic Ocean. The North Sea is more than 970 kilometres (600 mi) long and 580 kilometres (360 mi) wide, with an area of 750,000 square kilometres (290,000 sq mi) and a volume of 54,000 cubic kilometres (13,000 cu mi). Around the edges of the North Sea are sizeable islands and archipelagos, including Shetland, Orkney, and the Frisian Islands. The North Sea receives freshwater from a number of European continental watersheds, as well as the British Isles. A large part of the European drainage basin empties into the North Sea, including water from the Baltic Sea. The largest and most important rivers flowing into the North Sea are the Elbe and the Rhine – Meuse. Around 185 million people live in the catchment area of the rivers discharging into the North Sea encompassing some highly industrialized areas. Major features For the most part, the sea lies on the European continental shelf with a mean depth of 90 metres (300 ft). The only exception is the Norwegian trench, which extends parallel to the Norwegian shoreline from Oslo to an area north of Bergen. It is between 20 and 30 kilometres (12 and 19 mi) wide and has a maximum depth of 725 metres (2,379 ft). The Dogger Bank, a vast moraine, or accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris, rises to a mere 15 to 30 m (50 to 100 ft) below the surface. This feature has produced the finest fishing location of the North Sea. The Long Forties and the Broad Fourteens are large areas with roughly uniform depth in fathoms (forty fathoms and fourteen fathoms or 73 and 26 m or 240 and 85 ft deep, respectively). These great banks and others make the North Sea particularly hazardous to navigate, which has been alleviated by the implementation of satellite navigation systems. The Devil's Hole lies 320 kilometres (200 mi) east of Dundee, Scotland. The feature is a series of asymmetrical trenches between 20 and 30 kilometres (12 and 19 mi) long, one and two kilometres (0.6 and 1.2 mi) wide and up to 230 metres (750 ft) deep. Other areas which are less deep are Cleaver Bank, Fisher Bank and Noordhinder Bank. Read the full article