What Exactly Is an Iceberg Mover?
Iceberg movers are maritime specialists who locate, track, and sometimes physically tow icebergs away from areas where they could cause damage. It’s not just about keeping cruise ships safe—they also protect oil rigs, shipping routes, and coastal communities from drifting ice.
The job blends marine navigation, environmental science, and a little bit of adventure tourism… if your idea of tourism involves freezing temperatures and unpredictable seas.
Why Iceberg Moving Is Necessary
- Protecting Oil Rigs: Offshore oil platforms are often in iceberg-prone waters, and one collision could cause catastrophic damage.
- Ensuring Safe Shipping Routes: Large icebergs can block major trade routes in the North Atlantic and Arctic.
- Preventing Property Damage: Smaller icebergs drifting toward coastal towns can be a threat to docks and fishing operations.
- Environmental Monitoring: Scientists sometimes tow icebergs to study them in controlled areas.
How Do You Move an Iceberg?
It’s not like hooking a tow rope to a car. Icebergs are massive—some weigh millions of tons—so moving one requires careful planning. Methods include:
- Towing with Ships: Attaching heavy-duty cables or nets to the iceberg and slowly pulling it to a safer location.
- Redirecting Currents: Using strategic towing to guide the iceberg into a current that carries it away naturally.
- Breaking It Up: In rare cases, smaller pieces are broken off to reduce the hazard.
Working Conditions
If you think your office is cold, imagine working in sub-zero temperatures with icy winds whipping your face. Iceberg movers spend weeks—or even months—at sea, often in remote areas like the coast of Newfoundland, Greenland, or the Arctic Circle.
Danger is part of the job. Icebergs can roll without warning, sending huge waves toward ships. Bad weather, freezing equipment, and unpredictable sea ice make it a job for only the most skilled (and brave) mariners.
How Much Do Iceberg Movers Make?
Because this is such a specialized field, salaries are high—often $80,000 to $150,000 a year for experienced crew members. Some contractors earn even more during peak iceberg seasons.
Skills You Need
- Advanced maritime navigation
- Ice seamanship training
- Knowledge of ocean currents and weather patterns
- Physical endurance for extreme conditions
- Ability to operate heavy winches, cranes, and towing equipment
Where the Jobs Are
Iceberg moving work is concentrated in regions like:
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Greenland’s coastal waters
- Norway’s Arctic regions
- Parts of Alaska
Companies that operate offshore oil rigs or maritime safety agencies are the primary employers.
A Real-Life Example
One well-known iceberg-moving operation took place off the coast of Newfoundland in the 1980s, when a massive iceberg was drifting toward an oil platform. A team of movers hooked heavy-duty cables to the berg and towed it 50 miles into open water over several days—saving the rig from disaster.
The Environmental Side
Iceberg moving isn’t just about safety. Some scientists have proposed towing icebergs to water-scarce regions as a source of fresh drinking water. While still mostly experimental, the idea has sparked interest from countries dealing with drought.
The Strangest Part of the Job
Despite dealing with multi-million-ton chunks of ice, iceberg movers have to treat them delicately. Icebergs can shatter or roll if handled roughly, making precision just as important as raw strength.
Pros
- High pay
- Adventure and travel to remote areas
- Unique, in-demand skill set
Cons
- Dangerous conditions
- Long periods away from home
- Seasonal work in some regions
Final Thoughts
Iceberg moving might be one of the strangest jobs on Earth, but it’s also one of the most fascinating. It combines maritime skill, environmental science, and pure grit. For those who can handle the cold, the danger, and the isolation, it’s a career like no other—and one that’s essential for safety in icy waters.
