The Tanafjorden Movie
Tanafjorden is one of the most pristine areas of Norway. Here is no industry, no fishfarms, no wind parks, and almost no humans at all.
Still – it’s one of the most polluted parts of the Norwegian coastline, with an average of 600 kg. trash pr. km. beachline, over a distance of about 100 km.
It’s also one of the most challenging areas to clean, due to the rugged terrain, and heavy swells coming in from the Barents Sea.
In this movie, you will learn to know some of our volunteers, that cleaned Tanafjorden during a few weeks in June 2025. The project was a part of Rydd i Tide, by Handelens Miljøfond.
22.000 kg
of plastic pollution was collected in Tanafjorden
49 km
of beachline was cleaned
15 km
of beacline was too steep to clean or to hold any trash
During the project, 22 000 kg of plastic pollution was collected from Tanafjorden, and 49 km. of beachline was cleaned. 15 km. of beachline was too steep to clean, and also to steep to hold any trash.
We are greatful for the immense effort of the volunteers who took part in the project, not only doing highly efficient beach cleaning, but for providing professional level filming and reporting from the beach, and sharing their inner emotions about their stay with us.
We hope the film was inspiring, and please share it with your network.
If you want to support our work, and watch more content in the future, you can make a donation through PayPal (international) or VIPPS (Norway).
Thank you <3
Anna
“What scares me most is when people begin to lose hope”
And honestly, in times like these, it’s hard not to.
In daily life, we often get stuck — routines take over, the world’s problems feel too big, and we lose sight of our purpose.
For me, the time with In The Same Boat was a source of hope. It reminded me that collective action isn’t just powerful — it’s necessary.
When people come together with a shared purpose, even something as simple as picking up trash becomes a form of resistance, a message. Beach cleaning is symbolic.
It reflects the consequences of a broken system — but it also shows that there are people who care enough not to look away.
People who choose to make these problems visible, because raising awareness is a first step toward systemic change. It’s not an option to lose hope. Because once we give up hope, we give up the chance for change.
The crew about Anna:
Anna is a German illustrator, graphic designer, and eco-social designer based in Bolzano according her Insta bio.
Anna is the sunshine of the crew.
Whatever you do, don’t give this gurl a Red Bull — she is the caffeine of the team! Her secret fuel? Nougati 
and salt. At the same time. Yep.
As strong as she is caring, Anna is the perfect superhero to remove as much trash as possible from nature. Even if it means climbing steep cliffs (which she secretly enjoys the most 
).
David
The crew about david:
After working several years in IT, David left the office behind to join the crew in Tanafjorden.
He’s our sports enthusiast, always ready for a hike, a run, or a trawl ball throwdown.
As long as David is on board there will be no left overs from dinner; and for good reason, as long as he’s not in his “nothing box” he is usually looking to do something, and can move trash bags like a work horse.
Most importantly, whatever he does, he’ll do it with a smile. David is the most positive and optimistic person we’ve met, and his attitude also affect the mood of the rest of the team.
Emma
Before diving into work life as a chemical engineer, Emma jumped on board to join the crew in Tanafjorden.
From feeding the fishes during her first sea crossing to steering Qilak like a pro – she is on her way to become a true sailor.
She’s happiest driving the dinghy past steep cliffs or flipping the best french pancakes for Saturday breakfast. Emma always makes sure we have the right tunes playing – her playlists are created with a lot of love and effort.
After a sweaty beach cleanup, she’s craving a shower – even if it means jumping straight into the icy Arctic water.
With her camera always nearby, she’s the one secretly capturing the crew’s emotional moments.
Fleur
Would you want to be reincarnated into a seagull?
Fleur is the master of dilemmas and challenges, for sure she is going to fulfill your day with a lot of entertainment.
On a very fine day she can become hooked on learning new things, like how animals interact and talk to each other.
Once Fleur starts having a fit of laughter, you can hardly stop her.
You can always count on her to laugh at your goofy jokes which will spread a good mood around.
She is also really caring and patient, ready to listen you and will never judge you (even if you want to reincarnate into a seagull).
Jeanne
“Chane”, “Yane”, “jône”…Jeanne is an artist at heart whose name you can never prononce correctly.
She will always use her words to make you feel better, pacify your soul or transport you through her songs to another poetic universe.
She is a ray of sunshine, playful and will surprise you with fresh baked cookies.
Count on her to randomly reunite people around a Celtic dance and teach it with passion.
To make her happy, give her chocolate.
Julie
Julie is an adventurous travelling painter, who doesn’t mind painting Dory (the workboat) all night long.
She is funny, caring and curious, always ready to learn new skills like playing guitar or fight sports.
Are you craving after a free dinner? Julie has the talent to unearth expired food at the supermarket.
She can dance very beautifully and surprise you with abstract dances in incongruous places.
Despite her immeasurable sweetness, you can overhear her lovely snoring in the middle of the night…
Maurizio
The crew about Maurizio:
Maurizio is a photographer who joined us to make a documentary project about our work and the reasons that motivates volunteers to join.
He is also a sailor and it looks like he’s had some hours of dinghy driving, as he handles the dinghy as a master. Favorite place to e on board: On the helm!
He’s been nicknamed “grandpa” as he is the oldest of the volunteers. He has a good energetic laughter and he loves coffee, as long it’s made the Italian way.
Nicolai
Nicolai became a master in the art of waking you up. Go go go!
His music will lift you up on your way to work, as if you found yourself in a nightclub halfway through the bog.
Even in the most difficult situations, like a dinghy flipping, he will stay calm and give you clear instructions.
He is always keeping the mood high and energizing the team, even on the hardest working days.
He has the habit to jump in the freezing water at every opportunity! That’s how you can tell he is a true Norwegian.
Faune
Beachcleaners, beachcleaners — this is Dory!
Let me introduce to you : Skipper Faune. After years spent working in the fishing industry, Faune is now fishing for trash!
With big hands, broad shoulders, and zero fear, he’s the kind of skipper you want on your side.
Always professional, always focused — his secret to keep the volunteers motivated? Riddles. “What walks on two legs, sometimes four, carries light things… but mostly heavy ones? Beachcleaners!”
And behind that tough sailor look hides a big heart — you’ll notice it when you see how many fish he brings back for dinner
Rolf-Ørjan
Rolf is the captain of ITSB… but also of Qilak! 
As long as there’s butter, chocolate powder, and bacon on board, everything is under control 
.
With the experience of fifty different lives — and twice as many unexpected stories — Rolf has turned In The Same Boat into a true life adventure for every volunteer who joins the crew.
Dreaming is not an option: there’s work to be done. Whether it’s cleaning over 10% of the world’s coastline… or just the kitchen.
