21 icebreaker escort operations performed in eastern part of Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on February 7-8
21 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on February 7-8, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
Since the beginning of this winter navigation season icebreakers performed 213 operations including 129 operations at Big Port St. Petersburg, 45 operations at the port of Vyborg and Vysotsk, 28 operations at the port of Primorsk and 11 operations at the port of Ust-Luga.
Six icebreakers are in operation.
Floating ice of 5-15 cm thick and concentration of 5/10ths to 7/10ths is observed between the entrance buoy and the Dock-Gate Building C-1; floating ice of up to 10-15 cm thick and concentration of 7/10ths to 9/10ths is observed between the Dock-Gate Building C-1 and buoys No 27, No 28. Between buoys No 23, No 24 and closed part of St. Petersburg Seaway Channel ice concentration is 9/10ths to 10/10ths, ice thickness is 10-20 cm. In the water area of Big Port St. Petersburg: brash ice of 10-15 cm thick and concentration of 9/10ths to 10/10ths. Between the port of Vyborg and Vysotsk: consolidated ice of 10-15 cm thick, no navigation on the canal. Southwards of port Vysotsk to the Rondo island: 5-15 cm tick ice. At port Primorsk: ice thickness of up to 20 cm, ice concentration of 10/10ths.
Ice navigation restrictions at the port of Ust-Luga and at the approaches to it come into effect from February 10. Navigation of ATB units and non-ice class ships will not be allowed. Ice-class ships will be only allowed to sail in ice waters with the assistance of icebreakers. Ships of Ice class and higher ice classes will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers or independently upon obtaining icebreaker’s permit and recommendations.
Ice navigation restrictions at the port of Vyborg and at the approaches to it come into effect from February 21. Navigation of ATB units and non-ice class ships will not be allowed. Ice-class ships will be only allowed to sail in ice waters with the assistance of icebreakers. Ships of Ice1 class and higher ice classes will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers, vessels of Ice2 class will be allowed to sail independently or with the assistance of icebreakers.
