On the basis of subsection 45 (5¹) of the Maritime Safety Act, and of Regulation No. 265 of the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of 23 December 2003 “Procedure for Icebreaking Activities”, and according to application No. 157 of 18 December 2009 by the Harbour Master of the Port of Pärnu in regard to ice conditions in the Bay of Pärnu and the Gulf of Riga, the Director General of the Estonian Maritime Administration has issued a directive establishing 19 December 2009 as the date for the beginning of icebreaking activities in the Pärnu Bay in the current winter navigation season.

Starting from 28 December 2009, all ships entering or leaving the Port of Pärnu and assisted by an icebreaker are required to have ice class 1C (Lloyd’s Register) or an equivalent ice class given by other classification societies, and to have engine power no less than 1600 kW. Tugs and barges will not be given icebreaker assistance.

The multi-purpose vessel EVA-316 is starting icebreaking operations in the Bay of Pärnu and the Gulf of Riga on 19 December 2009, and if necessary, a replacement can be ordered from Alfons Hakans.

This information will be published in Notices to Mariners, on the MA website, and transmitted via NAVTEX.

e-mail: eva@vta.ee