21 icebreaker escort operations performed in eastern part of Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on February 11-12
21vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on February 11-12, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
Since the beginning of this winter navigation season icebreakers performed 273 operations including 169 operations at Big Port St. Petersburg, 55 operations at the port of Vyborg and Vysotsk, 32 operations at the port of Primorsk and 17 operations at the port of Ust-Luga.
Eight icebreakers are in operation.
According to Ice Operations Headquarters, the convoy meeting point is at buoy No 4 of the Big Ship Channel (60 degrees 11.5 minutes north latitude; 27 degrees 46.1 minutes east longitude.
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 23, No 24. 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 10-20 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 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.
Ice navigation restrictions at the port of Vysotsk and at the approaches to it come into effect from February 22 (when ice thickness reaches 15-30 cm). Navigation of ATB units and non-ice class ships will not be allowed. Ships of Ice1 class will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers, vessels of Ice2 class will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers or independently upon obtaining icebreaker’s permit and recommendations.
