Nine vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on January 23-24, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
Since the beginning of this winter navigation season icebreakers have assisted 51 vessels including 38 vessels at Big Port St. Petersburg and 12 vessels at the port of Vyborg and Vysotsk.
In the Neva Bay, floating ice of 5-15 cm thick and concentration of 8/10ths to 9/10ths is observed between the entrance buoy and the Dock-Gate Building C-1; floating ice of up to 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 27, No 28 and closed part of St. Petersburg Seaway Channel ice concentration is 10/10ths, ice thickness is 10-15 cm, no navigation. 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 the Rondo island: consolidated ice of 10-15 cm thick, no navigation on the channel. Newly formed ice is observed southwards of the Rondo island. Brash ice of up to 15 cm thick and concentration of 9/10ths to 10/10ths is observed at port Primorsk.