Rapid ice growth around P.E.I. posing challenges for ships

The extremely cold conditions over the last few weeks have resulted in some rapid ice growth around P.E.I. and crews on Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers have been putting in long hours to ensure commercial ships get through.

The Coast Guard has also been helping the CTMA ferry between P.E.I. and the Magdalen Islands.

Rebecca Acton-Bond, the acting superintendent of ice operations for the Coast Guard in the Atlantic region, said the ice does pose some challenges.

"Currently the conditions in the Northumberland Strait are compact, packed, thin first-year and grey-white ice," said Acton-Bond.

"Because of the cold temperatures since last week, the ice is growing rapidly and getting more and more difficult." 

"North of P.E.I., the Gulf [of St. Lawrence] main pack is mostly first-year ice and it's pushing along the shore which is extremely difficult for ships to navigate through. Lately, the icebreakers have been going 24 hours a day assisting everywhere they can." 

She said the CCGS Henry Larsen, which can deal with heaver ice, has been sent to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area to further help with icebreaking operations.

Acton-Bond said the ice is heavier than it has been in the last three years. But, she says, over a 30-year average, it's about normal.