Marine ice – Get Prepared
In southern Canada, from late fall to spring (until early summer for Newfoundland and Labrador), some waterways can become restricted or hazardous due to ice.
For example, in mid-April of 2007 after the seal hunt, an ice pack off northeastern Newfoundland and southern Labrador tightened and trapped over 100 fishing and sealing vessels. While some fishers were rescued, roughly 500 were stranded for up to three weeks.
The farther north you go, the longer the ice season. In the heart of the Arctic, some waters are only opened during the summer season, but ice and icebergs remain a concern for safe shipping. Many Northern communities use fast ice as a means for commuting, hunting and other purposes. It’s important that the shipping industry on the water collaborate with local authorities for everyone’s awareness and safety, and to respect the livelihoods of Canada’s Indigenous and Inuit people.
How to prepare before marine ice
Ice can pose risks to fishing vessels, vessels without ice class or not reinforced for ice, and people travelling on or near water.
To better prepare for a marine ice event:
- Make an emergency plan that accounts for marine ice. Consider the specific needs of all members of your group, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
- Consider whether your evacuation routes may be impacted by ice
- Watch for potential ice jams or ice walls being pushed onshore by heavy winds
- Learn more about sea ice types and forms
- Watch for damage to your equipment or vessel
- Don’t go boating if there’s a chance you’ll be stranded when ice is present
- Prepare for river floods that can cause property damage, shoreline erosion, or safety risks
- Canada’s warming climate is changing our waterways. Ice that used to be thick enough to travel on may no longer be safe
Traveling over ice
It is hard to tell the varying strength or thickness of ice by its appearance. Changing weather conditions can also affect ice from day to day. So remember, if in doubt, don't go out!
- If you plan to travel over ice-covered water, take the proper precautions to stay safe:
- plan ahead
- monitor conditions
- avoid icebreakers and other vessels, and areas where they have passed recently
- Carry a personal safety kit
- Crossing over frozen waterways anywhere, can pose risks:
- Remember that changing ice conditions can weaken ice in the spring
- Ice-covered water poses a significant safety hazard
- Report your position to the closest Marine Communications and Traffic Services centre for emergency planning and awareness
- Prepare by having the following items on hand should someone break through the ice:
- ice picks
- emergency contact numbers
- kayak, stand-up paddle board, or inflatable boat
- life ring and heaving line
- supplies to treat extreme cold conditions such as blankets
Prepare for safe boating
When traveling by sea, always monitor conditions and plan ahead.
- Plan your trip by monitoring the latest ice conditions provided by the Canadian Ice Service
- Always maintain your vessel and bring required life saving equipment with you when boating
- Always file a trip plan before setting out on a marine voyage
- Ice may impact navigational aids, such as lights covered by ice
- When navigating on waterways, refer to navigational warnings, notices and navigation charts
- Inform (if possible) the Canadian Coast Guard about your plans with an itinerary early in the planning process
- The Coast Guard will use this information in combination with other submissions in the spring to plan the deployment of their icebreaking resources for the upcoming season
During marine ice
Remember, if you are unsure about the thickness or safety of marine ice: when in doubt, don’t go out!
- Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency
- Marine emergencies can be reported to the Canadian Coast Guard using the search and rescue incident reporting emergency line
- Contact the closest Marine Communications and Traffic Services centre on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio channel 16
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