Icebreaking Operations Concluded in Gulf of Finland and Pärnu Bay

The icebreaking season of 2009-2010 in Estonian waters finished on Wednesday, 21 April 2010. In the Pärnu Bay, it lasted for 123 days, from 19 December 2009 to 21 April 2010. During this period, 139 vessels called at the Port of Pärnu, with 102 individual ships requiring icebreaker assistance (in total 172 instances of icebreaking services rendered). Icebreaking operations were carried out by the multi-purpose vessel EVA-316 and the tug Protector.

The icebreaking activities in the Gulf of Finland began on 16 January 2010, continuing for 95 days. The ice conditions on the Gulf of Finland were mild due to favourable southern winds and the icebreaker Tarmo was needed in 47 instances (39 individual ships assisted).

In the Pärnu Bay, the following restrictions were established: from 28 December to 13 February, ice class 1C (Lloyd’s Register) and main engine power no less than 1600 kW; from 14 February to 5 April, ice class 1B (Lloyd’s Register) and main engine power no less than 2000 kW. No icebreaker service was offered for tugs and barges. In the Gulf of Finland, ice class 1C (Lloyd’s Register) and main engine power no less than 1600 kW were the restrictions established throughout the season. No icebreaker service was offered for tugs and barges.