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Ice Chokes the Harbour

The Mail-Star, 28 March 1987

For the first time in 27 years, ice has entered Halifax Harour and brought much of marine activity to a still.

An abnormal floe of ice off the Nova Scotia Coast Friday disrupted small vessal activity from the Cabot Straight to Liverpool, stopped the metro ferries and sent sightseers onto the clogged twin bridges for a first hand look.

Varying in thickness from two to 2.5 metres, the ice that spoiled Halifax's reputaion as an ice free harbour got a ride here from prevailing southerly and southeast winds, said Canadian Coast Guard spokesman Dick Pepper.

Weather forecasts indicate the problem will get worse before the weekend is through and an Environment Canada spokesman said the ice may get as far as Bedford Basin and linger there.

Mr. Pepper said helicopter surveys of the area Friday confirmed there doesn't appear to be any break in the ice floe. Coast guard vessels escorted some small boats into port and removed all navigational aids from Egg Island to Chebucto Head to protect them from damage.

The Halifax Rescue Coordination Centre was forced Friday night to airlift food and water to a 65 foot steel fishing vessel stranded in ice. (See ice, pg. 2)