Namsos
Namsos havn · Namsenfjord · Namdalen gateway
64°27.9'N 011°29.8'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 3–7m on excellent mud and silt. Actual depths far greater than CD — Norwegian tidal range 1-2m. River current adds to tidal stream — anchor alarm essential. Shore line to river bank rocks recommended. Excellent holding in deep silt at the river mouth.
About This Anchorage
Namsos is a small coastal town at the mouth of the Namsen river — one of Norway's premier salmon rivers and the gateway to the Namdalen valley (one of Norway's longest inland valleys). The town was completely destroyed by German bombing in April 1940 (one of the first towns bombed in Norway during Operation Weserübung) and rebuilt in a distinctive 1940s modernist style. The Rock City rock music museum is an unexpected cultural attraction — Norway has produced several internationally significant rock bands and Namsos claims a prominent place in Norwegian rock history. The Namsenfjord approach from the outer coast is straightforward but shoals in the river entrance require careful navigation on the lead marks.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW
Exposed To
W · NW
Setting Your Anchor in Trondheimfjord
Shore lines are mandatory in the Trondheimfjord system. Norwegian practice: drop a bow anchor on the shallow nearshore shelf in 3–8m, then run a stern or bow shore line to the nearest fortøyningsbolter (iron ring) set into the cliff face. Use at least 7:1 scope on the anchor rode. The Norwegian tidal range in Trondheimfjord is 1–2m (increasing toward the inner arms) — actual depths are far greater than Chart Datum; always verify with your echo sounder. Katabatic gusts from valley walls and glacier slopes can arrive without warning on clear nights — set your anchor alarm to 75m before sleeping. Under Allemannsretten, anchoring on natural shores is free for up to 48 hours. NATO restricted zones around Ørland: drone flying strictly prohibited throughout the region.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. River salmon fishing rights are private — do not fish without a licence. River current creates additional holding demand — set anchor with engine astern against current. Shore lines recommended.
Hazards
- !River current: the Namsen river creates a current in the anchorage — anchor alarm essential and set firmly against current direction
- !Shoaling river entrance: follow the lead marks carefully; the river bar can shift after spring floods
- !W and NW exposure from the outer fjord: shore line essential in any westerly forecast
- !Salmon fishing rights: the river and fjord entrance are private fishing territory — no unauthorised fishing
Skipper's Tips
- →Rock City museum (centrally located) is a genuine surprise — Norwegian rock history from the 1950s to the present, well curated
- →The Namsen river (above the tidal reach) is one of Norway's most prestigious salmon rivers — if you fish, a week's licence is extraordinary expensive but the experience is worth it
- →WWII history: the bombing of Namsos in April 1940 was one of the first actions of the Norwegian campaign — a small but moving memorial in the town centre
- →Good weather window from here for the passage north to Rørvik (20nm) and Bodø
Facilities
Full facilities in Namsos: supermarket, fuel, restaurants, pharmacy. Good provisioning stop on the passage north. Rock City museum worth a half-day visit.
Nearest provisions: Namsos town centre supermarket (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Salmon season on the Namsen (June–August) brings anglers from across Norway and internationally. The town is most lively in July.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Trondheimfjord, tidal streams through the sounds and katabatic gusts from fjord walls can drag anchors without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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