14 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on March 27-28, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
From the beginning of winter navigation season, icebreakers escorted 1,836 vessels including 1,115 vessels in Big Port St. Petersburg, 152 vessels in Primorsk, 142 vessels in Ust-Luga, 320 vessels in Vyborg and Vysotsk, 107 vessels in the Gulf of Finland.
According to Ice Operations Headquarters, 5 icebreakers are involved.
15-30 cm thick fast ice is observed in the Neva Bay. The southern shore, between Lomonosov and Bronka is ice free. 10-20 cm thick brash ice is observed on the Seaway Canal of Saint-Petersburg. Open-pack ice is observed at Big Kronshtadt Anchorage. Open pack ice is observed between the Dock-Gate Building C-1 and buoys No 9-10 of the Big Kronshtadt Fairway. Further westwards - ice free water with separate ice floes.
Between the port of Vyborg and the turning buoy of Vysotsk port: fast ice of 20-30 cm thick. The canal is free with 10-20 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 10-20 cm. Between Vysotsk entrance buoy and the Rondo island – drift ice with thickness of up to 20 cm. Between the Rondo island and buoy No 2 - 20-35 cm thick ice. Further on to the Hally island and up to buoy No 4 - ice free water.
In the water area of Primorsk port – ice free water. Two miles southwards from the port exit – open pack ice. Further on, to buoy No 7 and further westward– ice free water.
In the water area of Ust-Luga port – ice free water.