STFI41 EFKL 240859

FINNISH ICE REPORT 24.04.2024

The ice in the Bay of Bothnia drifts slowly in northerly directions.

In the northern Bay of Bothnia 50-80 cm thick rotting fast ice and
consolidated ice to Kemi 1, Oulun portti and Raahe lighthouse.
Farther out open water approximately to the longitude of
Farstugrunden. Some thick floes in the area. Farther west 40-70 cm
thick ridged very close ice. Areas of open water, leads and cracks in
the ice field.

In the southern Bay of Bothnia rotten and rotting fast ice in the
archipelago. Off the fast ice zones of 10-50 cm thick drift ice.
Farther out open water approximately to the center line. Farther west
15-50 cm thick, in places ridged, close and very close ice
approximately to the latitude of Helsingkallan.

In the Quark between northeast of Valassaaret and west of
Strmmingsbdan a 1-10 nautical miles wide area of 10-40 cm thick ice
of varying concentration. In the Vaasa archipelago rotten ice. On the
Vaasa fairway mainly open water.

In the Bothnian Sea rotten ice in places in the archipelago. Farther
out ice-free.

In the Lake Saimaa 20-50 cm thick rotting ice and open areas.

Icebreakers: Polaris, Urho and Sisu assist in the northern Bay of
Bothnia. Otso and Zeus assist in the southern Bay of Bothnia. Tyrsky
assists in the Lake Saimaa.

Assistance restrictions: Minimum ice class and deadweight required of
assisted vessels:
Tornio, Kemi, Oulu, Raahe, Kalajoki and Kokkola, IA of more than 4000
tons.
Pietarsaari, IA of more than 2000 tons.
Vaasa, II of more than 2000 tons.
Saimaa Canal, IA of more than 2000 tons.
Lake Saimaa, 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 82. This report can also be given directly by telephone to
+46 10 492 7600.

Vessels bound for Finnish or Swedish ports with assistance
restrictions in the Quark or the Bay of Bothnia shall, 20 nautical
miles before Nordvalen Lighthouse (63 32,15' N 20 46,60' E), report
in accordance with the instructions for winter navigation to Bothnia
VTS on VHF channel 67.

The traffic separation schemes in the Quark are temporarily out of
use.