Winter winds, ice present challenges for Marine Atlantic captains
PORT AUX BASQUES, N.L. — If you suspect there’s more ice choking the Gulf of St. Lawrence this winter than the few previous years, you’re not alone.
“February to April is traditionally the worst time for ice conditions in the CabotStrait,” says Darrell Mercer, corporate communications officer for Marine Atlantic. “It was a really bad year for ice in 2015, there were a number of impacts to our servicebetween February and April. The last few years haven’t presented any significant challenges, but there is a significant ice build-up again this year.”
Somewhere around mid-April the ice conditions tend to imNorth prove significantly, but for now Marine Atlantic ferry captains must remain vigilant.
“Our captains review the ice charts before every crossing to determine whichsections of the Cabot Strait could present the most challenges and plan theircrossing routes accordingly,” says Mercer.
“Over the past couple of weeks, therehave been some heavy ice patches which at times haveslowed the vessels. However, we have managed to avoid the worst of the conditions to date.”
Some crossings were cancelled during the week of March 11 due to a combination of strong winds and heavy ice pressure along the Newfoundland coast, and heavy ice is still present in the Gulf.
For both Port aux Basques and Sydney, westerly winds are preferable andhelp to keep the ice clear of the docks, as well as reducing pressure in the Cabot Strait. Northeasterly and southeasterly winds can have the opposite effect, pressuring the ice around the coastlines and docks.
“Our captains have reported that every crossing is different with the movement of the ice in the Gulf,” notes Mercer.
Since the beginning of 2019, Marine Atlantic has been forced to cancel a total of 76 crossings due to weather conditions. In January there were 26 cancellations, 36 in February and thus far there have been 12 cancellations in March. This number, which includes all vessels and ports, was primarily related to high winds and heavy seas.