Ingar Lorentsen | Captain
From a small town in Norway to sailing the world with Hurtigruten - his life at sea has been a boyhood dream come true for Captain Ingar.
From Norway to the World
Born in the small town of Finnsnes, 160km south of Tromsø, Captain Ingar Lorentsen has always been inspired by life at sea. Whilst in kindergarten, he, along with fellow classmates, would hear the horn of Hurtigruten Coastal Ships heading North and South along the Norwegian coastline and run out to wave at the ships as they sailed past. It became his dream to become a navigator, and that dream became a reality in 2004.
Captain Ingar first joined Hurtigruten Coastal Express onboard the MS Lyngen, which was formerly named MS Midnatsol. Over the next few years, he followed his dream right around the world from his beloved Norwegian Coastline to the frozen wonderland of Antarctica onboard MS Fram. Following a 9 year break to become a Ship Pilot, Ingar returned to Hurtigruten as Captain of MS Maud (previously MS Midnatsol) in 2022 and has since taken thousands of guests around the British Isles and up the Norwegian coastline.
Captain Ingar has been fortunate to share his passion for the sea and Hurtigruten with his young family. He recently took his wife around the British Isles and this winter his son will join him for our Christmas voyage to Norway on MS Maud. When she docks in Tromsø he hopes to take his son’s class around the ship, to inspire the next generation of Norwegian sailors.
What is a ship pilot?
Maritime pilots are highly skilled navigators, who after many years at sea have developed a detailed knowledge of various waterways. They often come aboard big ships such as MS Maud, to safely bring them into port, past islands, sounds, or rivers.
Home town | Finnsnes
The port of Finnsnes is a regular calling point for both the Coastal Express and MS Maud as she makes her way from Dover to the North Cape and Honningsvåg. Acting as the gateway to Senja or as it is also known 'miniature Norway' with its mountains, fjords and quaint coastal communities - not to forget the friendly Norwegian welcome.
How to become a Captain?
Like many of the ship captains across our fleet, Ingar has spent many years moving up through the ranks building vast experience across different seas, weather conditions, ships, and shipping channels. Ultimately this - or as Captain Ingar did in moving away to become a ship pilot - helped gain the necessary qualifications to become the captain onboard, MS Maud.
