Icebreaker Otso set off on icebreaking in the Bay of Bothnia
Otso set off on icebreaking on 4 January as the second Arctia icebreaker of the season. The vessel headed to the Bay of Bothnia to assist merchant shipping traffic, supporting icebreaker Voima, which had just begun the season, and Alfons Håkans’ icebreaker Zeus, which had already been operating in the area.
A period of freezing temperatures has begun in the north, and the weather will remain cold for several days, possibly longer. As temperatures drop, the ice field in the Bay of Bothnia is expanding and thickening.
Careful preparations have been made for the icebreaking season. Otso underwent a 40-year docking in the summer, during which and during the autumn maintenance season, significant renovations were carried out on the ship. Among other things, the bridge has received new navigation and control systems. In addition, storage tanks have been built into each icebreaker for collecting and discharging wastewater.
Thanks to these upgrades, the vessel now meets modern requirements even better. “The crew is heading into the new season with enthusiasm and confidence. Improved systems and more functional spaces make daily work easier, increase safety, and strengthen operational capability for the coming icebreaking season,” says Seppo Eva, Master of the icebreaker Otso.
Further information: Paavo Kojonen, SVP, Icebreaking, +358 50 458 4391, paavo.kojonen@arctia.fi