Estonia's islands battle 'worst ice conditions in 10 years' amid ferry stoppages
Some of Estonia's islands are facing the worst ice conditions in a decade, halting ferries and forcing residents to rely on hovercraft of ATVs for deliveries of essentials.
The island of Ruhnu, further out to sea, is effectively in crisis mode and is cut off from the mainland altogether.
Conditions have led to residents of at least one smaller island making the more dangerous journey over the ice on an ATV or similar after the regular ferry was halted, "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.'
Ice and low sea levels disrupted ferry links to the island of Hiiumaa on the Rohuküla–Heltermaa route on Friday and look set to do so into next month.
While services were up and running Saturday, crossings may take longer and there may be limits on vehicle weights, said TS Laevad, which operates the route.
The company's head of shipping operations, Guldar Kivro, told ERR he has not seen conditions as challenging as this in the Väinameri, the strait separating Hiiumaa, Saaremaa and other islands, in the company's decade-long history.
"The water level is very low, and all this ice that has formed. Half-jokingly, soon there may be no water left in the Väinameri at all, because everything is frozen," Kivro said.
Slushy sea ice in the channels being broken up by ferry traffic and then re-compacting up to depths of 60 centimeters is the main culprit, Kivro said.
He added that conditions are expected to worsen as water levels continue to drop, with freight transport likely restricted while passenger cars can still be loaded, and crews are closely monitoring the situation to prevent problems in the channels.
Kivro added that negative water levels and difficult weather are causing delays, particularly for the ferry Regula, and restrictions have already been placed on the volume of trucks being transported.
TS Laevad reported that the ferry Leiger's fuel system malfunction has been fixed, allowing it to return to service, while Regula will temporarily replace Leiger and later Tõll during February dock works. Kivro added that Leiger will assist Tiiu on the Hiiumaa route before planned maintenance in Tallinn.
TS Laevad added that similar conditions are set to continue well into February, so further disruption and changed schedules at times can be expected.
Meanwhile residents of the small island of Abruka were also cut off from ferry access to Saaremaa, again due to ice conditions. This led some people to travel across the frozen sea by ATV, relying on local knowledge for safety. Island caretaker Rein Lember said the ice crossing is a lifeline, albeit a temporary one, until ferries can reach the harbor again.
On Vilsandi, another small island which lies to the west of Saaremaa, a hovercraft provides a transport link to Saaremaa, used several times a week, while grocery deliveries continue to support islanders. Residents stress the dangers of ice travel in this way, but say they rely on it to maintain connections during winter.
Ruhnu mayor: I will be approaching ministry about the crisis
While Abruka and Vilsandi are close to Saaremaa and to the mainland, Ruhnu, an isolated island in the Gulf of Riga with a permanent population a little under 100, has been effectively cut off from the mainland due to the conditions, Maaleht reported at the weekend.
The regular sea and air transport links to the mainland are either down or in the off-season, blocking deliveries of essentials.
New Ruhnu mayor Maret Pärnamets (Reform) had the opposite problem in not being able to get back to Ruhnu after the plane which was due to take her from Saaremaa has been unable to fly due to a technical issue.
The high-speed catamaran Runö is out of season, sailing May to October, while the regular eight-seat aircraft servicing the Pärnu–Ruhnu–Kuressaare route is also on its winter break.
Pärnamets noted that she was unable to get back by ferry either, and would be contacting central government and the relevant ministry about the crisis, particularly if the island remains cut off for any length of time.
Local residents confirmed the problems, with one telling Maaleht supplies were running out with no clear way of restocking them. The resident noted the island is not just a romantic picture postcard place but a real place where real people live, including children and the elderly, and work.
Locals also noted an "information blackout" on when and how the situation will be remedied, and when the state will act on its words when it comes to places like Ruhnu being as important as any other region in the country.
Editor's note: This piece was updated to include information on Ruhnu's situation.
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Editor: Andrew Whyte, Johanna Alvin
Source: 'Aktuaalne kaamera,' reporter Margus Muld.
