10 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on April 4-5, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
From the beginning of winter navigation season, icebreakers escorted 1,957 vessels including 1,220 vessels in Big Port St. Petersburg, 152 vessels in Primorsk, 142 vessels in Ust-Luga, 334 vessels in Vyborg and Vysotsk, 107 vessels in the Gulf of Finland.
According to Ice Operations Headquarters, 3 icebreakers are involved.
10-15 cm thick floating ice is observed in the Neva Bay. 5-15 cm thick brash ice is observed between the Dock-Gate Building C-1 and buoys No 23-24. 10-15 cm thick brash ice is observed from buoys No 23-24. 10-15 cm thick floating ice is observed on the Big Kronshtadt Fairway between Dock-Gate Building C-1 and buoy No 12. Further westwards - ice free water with separate ice floes.
Between the port of Vyborg and the turning buoy of Vysotsk port: fast ice of 10-20 cm thick. The canal is free with 10-15 cm thick brash ice. Between the turning buoy of Vysotsk port and Vysotsk Gate (including water area of Vysotsk port) – ice free water with separate ice floes. Between Vysotsk entrance buoy and the Rondo island – drift ice with thickness of up to 15 cm. Between the Rondo island and buoy No 4 - ice free water.
In the water area of Primorsk port – open pack ice. From the port exit to buoy No 7 and further westward – ice free water.
In the water area of Ust-Luga port – ice free water.