FINNISH ICE REPORT 18.01.2019

New ice formation continues in the Bay of Bothnia. The ice is drifting southward.

In the northern Bay of Bothnia 20-40 cm thick fast ice in the inner archipelago. Off the fast ice edge 20-30 cm thick consolidated ice, ridged in places, approximately to Kemi 3, Oulu 3 and off Raahe. Farther out approximately to the line Malören - Ulkokalla, 5-15 cm thick level ice, 20-40 cm thick very close ice and new ice. Off Holma, big floes of consolidated shuga difficult to force.

In the southern Bay of Bothnia 5-20 cm thick fast ice, new ice and ice formation in the archipelago. At the ice edge shuga in places.

In the Quark, in the Vaasa archipelago, 10-25 cm thick fast ice to Storhästen. Farther out to Ensten 5-20 cm thick very close drift ice. Farther out new ice and ice formation.

In the Sea of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland thin ice, new ice and ice formation in the archipelago.

Icebreakers: Otso, Kontio and Polaris assist in the Bay of Bothnia.

Assistance restrictions: Minimum ice class and deadweight required of assisted vessels:
Tornio, Kemi and Oulu, IB of more than 2000 tons.
Raahe, IB of more than 2000 tons or II of more than 3000 tons.
Kalajoki, Kokkola, Pietarsaari, Vaasa and Kaskinen, II of more than 2000 tons.
Loviisa, Mussalo, Kotka and Hamina, II of more than 2000 tons.

Alterations to the assistance restrictions: Minimum ice class and deadweight required of assisted vessels from 19th January:
Tornio, Kemi and Oulu, IA of more than 2000 tons.
Raahe, IB of more than 2000 tons.
Kalajoki, Kokkola and Pietarsaari, I of more than 2000 tons.

Vessels bound for Gulf of Bothnia ports in which assistance restrictions apply shall, when passing the latitude 60N, report their nationality, name, port of destination, ETA and speed to ICE INFO on VHF channel 78. This report can also be given directly by phone +46 10 492 7600.

Vessels bound for ports in the Bay of Bothnia shall report to Bothnia VTS 20 nautical miles before Nordvalen lighthouse on VHF channel 67.