OSLOFJORD (OSLO, NESODDEN, ASKER, DRØBAK, OUT TO HORTEN AND FÆRDER)

Oslofjord: boating safety

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The Oslofjord runs from the Skagerrak up to Oslo, Norway's capital and a busy ferry and cargo port. Its inner part is one of Norway's most crowded leisure-boating areas, with islands, guest harbours and the narrow Drøbak Sound on the route to the city.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call +47 51 51 70 00
Call JRCC Stavanger on +47 51 51 70 00. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Norway: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Oslo Harbour Watch (Oslo havnevakt) works VHF channel 15, phone +47 917 99 900 (24/7). Horten VTS runs the state fairway from Færder in to Oslo on working channels 18 and 19.

Oslo Havn KF · Oslo Havn KF · Oslo Havn KF ▾
oslohavn.no (2026-10-14): “Telefon: +47 917 99 900 (24/7)”
oslohavn.no (2026-10-14): “Havnevakten opererer på VHF kanal 15.”
oslohavn.no (2026-10-14): “har ansvaret for trafikkstyring av den statlige farleden fra Færder og inn til Oslo. Sjøtrafikksentralen har arbeidskanalene 18 og 19.”

Local rules

Speed limits in the inner Oslofjord are set by the municipalities and harmonised between them. In Asker the limit is 5 knots within 200 m of land, islands, islets and visible skerries.

Asker kommune · Asker kommune ▾
asker.kommune.no (2026-10-14): “Reglene er at fartsgrensen er fem knop innenfor en avstand av 200 meter fra land, øyer, holmer og skjær som er synlige over vannflaten”
asker.kommune.no (2026-10-14): “for å samkjøre fartsgrensene i indre Oslofjord”

Since 1 July 2024 it is forbidden to discharge toilet waste from leisure boats anywhere in the Oslofjord (Swedish border to Agder, including all side fjords and the inner fjord), unless the boat has an ISO 8099-2 sewage treatment system.

Sjøfartsdirektoratet · Sjøfartsdirektoratet ▾
sdir.no (2026-10-14): “Utslipp av kloakk i Oslofjorden er forbudt.”
sdir.no (2026-10-14): “Forskriften trer i kraft 1. juli 2024.”

Between Filtvet and Oslo, powered vessels must keep their speed down to avoid wash damage, stay mid-fjord where possible and take particular care past populated areas and in narrow channels; violations are fined.

Kartverket – Den norske los ▾
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “must adjust their speed so as to avoid causing damage due to wave action, etc. Therefore, they should stay as much in the middle of the fjord as possible and exercise particular caution when passing populated areas and navigating narrow channels.”

Hazards

Drøbak Sound has strong, variable currents (buoys can be pulled under). An old underwater stone wall (Drøbaksjeteen) lies about 1 m deep west of the sound; cross only at its marked openings, e.g. Hurumspassasjen (50 m wide, 4 m deep, red and green lights).

Kartverket – Den norske los · Kartverket – Den norske los · Kartverket – Den norske los ▾
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “is often pulled under the water by the current. The current often runs in different directions along the shore and in the middle of the fjord.”
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “there is a ridge at about 1 meter depth,”
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “was extended on 1 July 2005 to 50 m width and 4 m depth. The opening is marked with red and green lights.”

In Oslo harbour an underwater barrier marked with yellow stakes surrounds the Opera House, with only about 0.5 m of water over it; the area inside may only be entered by agreement with Oslo Havn.

Kartverket – Den norske los · Kartverket – Den norske los ▾
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “Around the Opera House, there is an underwater barrier marked with yellow stakes.”
dnl.kartverket.no (2026-10-14): “Above the barrier, the depth is around 0.5 meters.”

Hospital and medical

Oslo Emergency Ward (Legevakten i Oslo) is open 24 hours at Trondheimsveien 233 (Aker hospital site); for illness call 116 117 first.

Oslo kommune · Oslo kommune · Oslo kommune ▾
oslo.kommune.no (2026-10-14): “Åpent: 00–24”
oslo.kommune.no (2026-10-14): “Trondheimsveien 233 (Aker sykehus)”
oslo.kommune.no (2026-10-14): “Ved sykdom, ring 116 117”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Oslofjord?

Call JRCC Stavanger on +47 51 51 70 00. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Oslofjord?

Oslo Harbour Watch (Oslo havnevakt) works VHF channel 15, phone +47 917 99 900 (24/7). Horten VTS runs the state fairway from Færder in to Oslo on working channels 18 and 19.

Read before you sail

Person overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerChartering in Norway: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Gothenburg and Bohuslän 140 nmBergen and the western fjords 164 nmStockholm archipelago 247 nmCopenhagen 260 nmMariehamn (Åland) 278 nmSvendborg 290 nmBornholm 314 nmKiel and the Flensburg Fjord 328 nm

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