Full-Time Ocean Trash Cleanup in the Arctic Circle

Ellen and Birger live aboard their 20-year-old Fontaine Pajot Lavezzi and specialize in cleaning up remote locations in northern Norway, including protected natural reserves. Anchoring is a bit more involved than setting the hook.

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Ellen and Birger live full-time on their Fontaine Pajot Lavezzi and are paid to clean up remote natural reserves in Norway. (Photo/ Birger Haftor Nilsen and Ellen Gjertsen)
Ellen and Birger live full-time on their Fontaine Pajot Lavezzi and are paid to clean up remote natural reserves in Norway. (Photo/ Birger Haftor Nilsen and Ellen Gjertsen)

On the small island of Bolga in northern Norway, 17 nm north of the Arctic Circle, a 40-ft. catamaran lies at a quay. It is blowing 36 to 47 knots while the rain whips against the windows. Ellen and Birger (both 57) take a break in their work as beach cleaners, while the first autumn gale passes. Ellen is not a fan of the rain because it makes the rocks and stones slippery, slowing their progress. Since 2017, the couple has cleared marine waste in the outer archipelago in Nordland. They were amazed by the amount of plastic on the shore and started by cleaning a little each time they anchored in an area on their 32-ft. Bavaria.

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Birger Haftor Nilsen
Birger Haftor Nilsen and Ellen Gjertsen have been sailing together for 8 years. Ellen was born in Flakstad in Lofoten and trained as an economist. She has worked within the National Court and the private business community before starting in 2022 as a plastic cleaner in their joint company. She also has an accounting role in the company. Birger was born in Moskenes in Lofoten and started his career as a fisherman. He received an early technical education and has worked in mechanical engineering as a coordinator and project manager in Norwegian industry. He also has a maritime education. He started in 2022 as a plastic cleaner and skipper in their company.