Maritimes Region

Icebreaking

The Canadian Cast Guard provides, operates and maintains icebreakers and icebreaking facilities and services for marine traffic navigating through or around ice covered waters. Services provided involve the physical act of icebreaking and the collection, analysis and dissemination of ice information.

CCG's main icebreaking services include:

Route Assistance - escorting ships, freeing beset vessels, maintaining shipping channels and tracks and standing by in areas where requests are likely.

Ice routing and information services - Undertaking ice reconnaissance activities to survey and forecast ice conditions, providing ice information and routing.

Marine facilities and port maintenance - Breaking out approaches and clearing ice from wharves, assisting shipping within ports, helping fishing vessels in and out of their harbours.

Ice management - Monitoring ice conditions and water levels in anticipation of flood risks, preventing ice jams, facilitating ice flow during spring break-up and standing by in areas prone to excessive build up.

Direct beneficiaries of ice routing services include domestic and foreign commercial vessels, fishing vessels, interested marine parties and Canadian and foreign government vessels. Beneficiaries of marine facility and port maintenance services include, ferry terminal operators, the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, owners and operators of Canadian marine ports and harbours infrastructure. Ice management services benefit owners and users of property in specific flood risk areas.

For more information on CCG’s Waterways Management program, go to:
Icebreaking Program