The Transport Administration's (Transpordiamet) icebreaking coordinator Are Piel said the ice edge in the bay currently lies about two nautical miles from the breakwaters, at a thickness of around 10 centimeters. This means icebreaking must go ahead, to permit the continued transit of shipping while the cold weather remains.

"The current weather forecast shows that the sub-zero temperatures will continue, which means icebreaking may last longer. Everything also depends on the wind direction," Piel said via a press release.

The state fleet's multipurpose vessel EVA-316 (pictured) is to carry out the work.

Pärnu Bay, off the west coast, is the only area in Estonia's waters where icebreaking is being carried out. There is currently no need for it in the Gulf of Finland to the north.

Temporary additional vessel requirements apply

Transport Administration Director Priit Sauk set tomorrow, Wednesday, as the start date for the work to start, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

From Tuesday, vessels putting in at the Port of Pärnu must bear at least ice class 1C (Lloyd's Register) or an equivalent ice class from other classification authorities. In addition, the vessel in question's main engine must be power rated at not less than 1,600 kW.

Any vessels not meeting those requirements may be barred entry to port and will be serviced by an icebreaker only on an exceptional basis, with the prior approval of the Transport Administration, and in accordance with the prevailing weather and ice conditions.

The current order lasts until next Monday, January 12.

The Transport Administration says it is continuously monitoring the situation in the north coast ports of Sillamäe and Kunda, and is ready to respond where necessary.

PPA advises against going out on the Pärnu Bay ice

Despite the freezing, going out on to the ice for instance to fish is not possible yet, as the ice has not reached a sufficient level of thickness yet.

"Aktuaalne kaamera" reported on Monday however that some professional fishermen drove an air cushion vehicle (ACV) on to the ice and drilled holes, to take advantage of winter zander fishing season being underway.

"The first day on the ice, the nets go down and then we'll see what we're doing, fishing or just soaking the nets," said professional fisherman Raio Piiroja.

Care is needed he added. The Rescue Board has imposed a ban on going on ice for inland water bodies. While the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) says it does not intend to impose a ban on going on the sea ice at present, this is "not recommended" for hobbyists.

"The ice starts from the pier in the city center and extends to the Mai observation tower. At the moment, there is about a kilometer of this ice, but yesterday's measurement results say that this ice is still very dangerous, i.e. less than ten centimeters. Ice should be safe for humans when they are ten or more centimeters thick. I ask parents and teachers to talk to children about the fact that the sea ice in Pärnu Bay is not yet thick enough, so please do not ask children to go on the ice yet," said Sander Kobolt, Maritime Rescue Group Leader of the Pärnu PPA department.

Editor's note: This piece was updated to include information on ice fishing in Pärnu Bay.

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