The 1-m-thick ice nearly blocked traffic in the White Sea, stuck ships waiting for icebreakers for 3-4 days, ITAR-TASS reports citing the head of the Arkhangelsk ice operations headquarters Nikolai Gurin.
According to him, this year’s severe cold has caused the most difficult ice conditions over the past 5 years as well in the harborage of Arkhangelk as in the White Sea. As a result the ships are unable to navigate through the ice without icebreakers convoy. "This bad situation got worse as Dixon, the main icebreaker that serves White Sea routes got broken, currently in Murmansk for repair", Nikolai Gurin was quoted as saying. Captain Nikolayev icebreaker from Murmansk came to the rescue. Today, she led a 8-ship caravan to Arkhangelsk to help other 4 ships on their way back from Arkhangelsk port.
Actually, Nicholas Gourina said, March is the most difficult time for navigation in the White Sea. This month the ice becomes thicker, while the storm wind contributes, making it impossible even for icebreakers to navigate.
According to him, this year’s severe cold has caused the most difficult ice conditions over the past 5 years as well in the harborage of Arkhangelk as in the White Sea. As a result the ships are unable to navigate through the ice without icebreakers convoy. "This bad situation got worse as Dixon, the main icebreaker that serves White Sea routes got broken, currently in Murmansk for repair", Nikolai Gurin was quoted as saying. Captain Nikolayev icebreaker from Murmansk came to the rescue. Today, she led a 8-ship caravan to Arkhangelsk to help other 4 ships on their way back from Arkhangelsk port.
Actually, Nicholas Gourina said, March is the most difficult time for navigation in the White Sea. This month the ice becomes thicker, while the storm wind contributes, making it impossible even for icebreakers to navigate.