Baldur ferry may find cloud break for total eclipse

Passengers aboard the Baldur ferry may be able to see the total solar eclipse through a break in the clouds, mbl.is reports. A forecast recently indicated that the clouds could clear near Brjánslækur, at the end of the route from Stykkishólmur.

The ferry is scheduled to leave Stykkishólmur at 3pm and reach Brjánslækur at about 5.45pm, around the time of the total eclipse.

Gísli Jóhann Eysteinsson, managing director of Ferjuleiðir, said the forecast had changed slightly, with the possible opening becoming smaller and shifting north. He said conditions would not be certain until shortly before the eclipse.

If a gap appears, the captain may slow the ferry so passengers can watch the eclipse, Gísli said. The captain will assess the conditions and make the decision.

Most people planning to watch the eclipse in the Westfjords have already arrived, so few passengers have booked the ferry. Gísli said he expected boats to head farther west on the fjord, where the eclipse will be at its strongest, rather than into the Baldur’s sailing route.