CCGS Henry Larsen

[Jim Bow]

I just watched a TV show ab out the Canadian icebreaker Henry Larsen. Fascinating show. Fascinating ship.

She was seen going to the rescue of a woodpulp hauler that was stuck in the ice. The Larsen broke ice by going around the stuck vessel. She was less than 100 feet away. She circled the ship and then pulled out in front and led it to the open sea.

I'm wondering why, as the ice breaker passed the side of the stuck vessel, the ice wasn't forced against the vessels hull. Doesn't the ice that is moved by the breaker have to go somewhere.

[Captain Blight]

It can also go down, not just sideways. We used to shove a lot of ice into the mud on the Sag Canal in Chicago.

[knottyBuoyz]

You're right. Once the ice is broken the pressure is released and it'll jumble up on itself. Once that happens it can't do any damage to a properly constructed boat. The only risk is on the first pass that's why they were 100' or more away.

Breaking ice is an unpleasant task at the best of times. I spent 11 yrs on icebreaker/buoytenders in the Great Lakes.