PHOTOS: Frigid temperatures cause thick ice coating on Canada Coast Guard ship
The Canadian Coast Guard shared the images on social media on February 10.
“Wild” ice formations were experienced on Lake Huron on Monday by the Canadian Coast Guard.
“The CCGS Judy LaMarsh was out on icy Lake Huron keeping commercial traffic moving out of Goderich, Ontario, and experienced some wild ice buildup,” The Coast Guard says in a social media post.
“Like the ice on the lake, crews made quick work of it!”
In the photos, parts of the boat can be seen almost entirely encased in thick ice:
(Canada Coast Guard/X)
(Canada Coast Guard/X)
(Canada Coast Guard/X)
(Canada Coast Guard/X)
What causes this type of ice buildup?
“Gusty winds and choppy waters release a significant amount of spray into the air. This isn't a big deal under normal circumstances, but it can be dangerous when temperatures are well below freezing,” explains Dennis Mersereau, a digital writer and weather specialist at The Weather Network.
“Tiny water droplets freeze very efficiently, allowing a heavy jacket of ice to quickly build up on exposed surfaces.”
An icy winter
A prolonged period of extreme cold has created icy conditions in Canada’s waterways, and it has been keeping the Canadian Coast Guard busy.
On February 7, it posted photos taken the night before on the St. Lawrence River, featuring the CCGS Des Groseilliers breaking up ice in Saint-Zotique.
"Night falls, but the work doesn’t stop," reads the social media post.
(Canada Coast Guard/X/Normand Gamelin)
"Check out these stunning shots of the CCGS Des Groseilliers breaking ice on the St. Lawrence River in Saint-Zotique.
Even under the stars, our crews keep winter waterways safe and navigable."