8 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on January 28-29, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
Since the beginning of this winter navigation season icebreakers performed 105 operations including 73 operations at Big Port St. Petersburg, 20 operations at the port of Vyborg and Vysotsk and 12 operations at the port of Primorsk.
5 icebreakers are in operation.
Floating ice of 10-15 cm thick and concentration of 9/10ths to 10/10ths is observed between the entrance buoy and the Dock-Gate Building C-1; floating ice of up to 05 cm thick and concentration of 7/10ths to 8/10ths 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 15-20 cm, ice compacting is observed. 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. 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 compacting is observed.
Ice navigation restrictions at port Vysotsk and at the approaches to it come into effect from January 29. Navigation of ATB units in ice waters is not allowed. Non-ice class ships and ice-class ships will be will be only allowed to sail in ice waters with the assistance of icebreakers. Ships of Ice2 class and higher ice classes will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers or independently upon obtaining icebreaker’s permit and recommendations.