The Canadian Coast Guard is closely monitoring the Strait of Belle Isle, which they call one of the worst places for sea ice around Newfoundland and Labrador.
Superintendent of icebreaking operations in the Atlantic Region, Bradley Durnford says ice is notoriously bad in the area due to the tides in the region, as well as winds that compress the ice against the land.
As of now, there is not much ice impacting the Strait, nor along the west coast, and Marine Atlantic ferries are unimpeded.
However, Durnford expects to see ice moving in towards Fogo Island and the Strait of Belle Isle as the season continues. He indicates there is ice in the area, but it’s not impacting operations as of yet.
(Satellite image via RAMMB / CIRA )
Last year saw horrendous ice conditions in the Strait of Belle Isle. Sustained westerly winds impacted ice throughout the area, creating consistently poor conditions.
Durnford adds that they saw 30-foot ice walls on shore due to the westerlies squeezing every bit of ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence through a small, narrow passage.
Durnford says the CCGS Henry Larsen is on the scene in the Strait of Belle Isle and assisted Qajaq W into port on Tuesday morning.
(Photo courtesy Canadian Coast Guard.)
