Q.

Preparation before entering an ICE : An adequately powered ice strengthened ship should be
able to make progress through 6/10 to 7/10 first year ice.
The engines and steering gear of any ship must be
reliable and capable of quick response to manoeuvrability
orders.
The navigational equipment should be reliable and
maintain radar at peak performance.
The vessel should be ballasted and trimmed to keep
propellor submerged; but care must be taken as excessive
trim can spoil manoeuvrability.
Ballast and fresh water tanks should be kept not more
than 90% full to avoid risk of damage due to freezing of
water.
Good search lights must be available for night
navigation.
The first principle of safe navigation through ice is to
maintain freedom of manoeuvre. Once the ship becomes
trapped, it starts drifting with the ice.
The three principles to be kept in mind during an ice
transit are :
Keep moving even if very slowly.
Work with ice movement and not against it.
Excessive speed leads to Ice damage.
Try to determine the type, thickness, hardness, floe size
and concentration of the ice.
Ice should never be entered if an alternative route is
available.
Consideration should be given to Time of the Year ,
Temperature and weather.
Area of operation.
Availability of Ice breakers.
Vessels Ice class in relation to the type of ice expected.
State of the hull, machinery and equipment, and
quantity of bunkers and stores left.

 Draft and depth of the water over the propellor tips and
rudder.
Ice experience of persons incharge of bridge.
The ice should be entered from leeward, if possible, as
wave actions are less on leeward side.
The ice edge often has bights seperated by projecting
tongues. By entering at one of the bights the surge will be
less.
Ice should be entered at very low speed and at right
angles to the Ice edge to receive the initial impact and
once into the ice, speed should be increased to maintain
head way and control of the ship.
Ice information in South Atlantic : ALRS vol. 5 (for facsimile charts and ice forecasts.)
Routeing charts.
Climatic charts.
US marine Climate Atlas of the World.
US pilot charts - Monthly weather hazards.