21 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on February 4-5, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
From the beginning of winter navigation season, icebreakers escorted 654 vessels including 412 vessels in Big Port St. Petersburg, 46 vessels in Primorsk, 31 vessels in Ust-Luga, 142 vessels in Vyborg and Vysotsk, 23 vessels in the Gulf of Finland.
According to Ice Operations Headquarters, 7 icebreakers are in operation with one more ship ready for operation and 5 icebreakers in reserve.
25-35 cm thick fast ice is observed in the Neva Bay. 20-30 cm thick brash ice with high concentration is observed along the Seaway Canal of Saint-Petersburg. 15-30 cm thick brash ice is observed at Big Kronshtadt Anchorage. 20-35 cm thick floating ice is observed between the Dock-Gate Building and buoys No 1-2 with new ice observed from the entrance buoy. Between buoys No 1-2 and buoy No 7 – 5-10 cm thick ice. Further westwards, from the buoy No 3, highly consolidated ice is observed with thickness of 20-35 cm. Ice compression is observed. Further westwards – clear water.
Between the port of Vyborg and the turning buoy of Vysotsk port: fast ice of 20-35 cm thick. The canal is free with 20-30 cm thick brash ice. Between the turning buoy of Vysotsk port and Vysotsk Gate (including water area of Vysotsk port) – solid ice with thickness of up to 30 cm. Between Vysotsk buoy and the Hally island – compact ice with thickness of up to 35 cm. Between the Hally island and buoy No 4 - consolidated ice with thickness of 15-25 cm. Between buoy No 4 and buoy No 3 – open pack ice.
From the port of Primorsk to buoys No 3-4 – dense ice of 20-30 cm thick, no movement on the canal. Further on, up to the Big Ship Fairway – 25-35 cm thick ice with concentration of 9-10/10ths with openings in some areas.
Between the port of Ust-Luga and Anchorage No 11 – new ice of 5-15 cm thick. Further, to the Anchorage No 10 (а) - open pack ice with ice free water in some areas. To the north of Anchorage No 10 (а) up to buoy No 9 - open pack ice.