120 vessels stuck in ice in Bothnia
The extreme ice conditions in the Bay of Bothnia continue. Today more than 120 vessels are waiting for icebreaker assistance.
Eleven diesel-electric and one nuclear-powered icebreaker are currently working in the Bay of Bothnia, where ice conditions are the worst in nearly 30 years. Every day 20 new vessels arrive to the area, RIA Novosti reports.
The ice conditions in the Bay of Bothnia have been difficult for more than a month, with one meter thick ice. Freezing wind makes the opened ice canals useless in no time.
The nuclear icebreaker Vaygach was sent from Murmansk in February to escort vessels sailing to and from St. Petersburg, as BarentsObserver reported. According to RIA Novosti, the vessel will operate in the area to April 1.
