STFI41 EFKL 180822
FINNISH ICE REPORT 18.04.2021
The ice condition is virtually unchanged.
In the northern Bay of Bothnia 40-70 cm thick fast ice to Kemi 3 and
Kattilankalla. Farther out, 10-50 cm thick very close ridged ice. Ice
field is in places difficult to force, but in places there are also
cracks and leads. Off Raahe, 30-50 cm thick fast ice to Jaakko buoy.
Farther out 10-40 cm thick ridged very close ice. The ice edge is 28
nautical miles south-west of Kemi 1 and 14 nautical miles west of
Raahe lighthouse.
In the southern Bay of Bothnia rotten ice in the archipelago. Farther
out very open ice and open water.
In the Quark rotten ice in the inner archipelago. Farther out open
water.
In the eastern Gulf of Finland, on the Finnish areas, open water. In
the Gulf of Vyborg 10-30 cm thick open and very open ice
approximately to line Santio - Nerva.
In the northern Lake Saimaa 30-60 cm thick ice.
In the southern Lake Saimaa and Saimaa Canal 5-25 cm thick rotting
ice. There are openings in the ice field
Icebreakers: Kontio, Polaris, Otso and Urho assist in the Bay of
Bothnia. Calypso assists in the Lake Saimaa. Meteor assists in the
Lake Saimaa and Saimaa Canal.
Assistance restrictions: Minimum ice class and deadweight required of
assisted vessels:
Tornio, Kemi, Oulu and Raahe, IA of more than 4000 tons.
Kalajoki, IA of more than 2000 tons.
Kokkolaand Pietarsaari, II of more than 2000 tons.
Siilinjrvi, Kuopio, Joensuu and Puhos, I of more than 2000 tons.
Varkaus, Savonlinna, Ristiina, Imatra, Joutseno, Lappeenranta and
Saimaa Canal, II of more than 2000 tons.
Vessels bound for Gulf of Bothnia ports in which assistance
restrictions apply, shall when passing latitude 6000' N report their
nationality, name, destination, ETA and speed to ICE INFO on VHF
channel 78. This report can also be given directly by telephone to
+46 10 492 7600.
Vessels bound for a Finnish or Swedish ports in the Quark or in the
Bay of Bothnia shall report to Bothnia VTS 20 nautical miles before
Nordvalen Lighthouse (63 32,15' N 20 46,60' E) on VHF channel 67.
