Bay Roberts 2 - Pack Ice Spring 2007

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During the Northern winters, sea water will freeze. During the spring thaw, it will break into smaller pieces. This drift ice will follow wind and sea currents on its southerly journey. Since the island of Newfoundland falls in the Labrador current, drift ice is a common occurrence. When the wind is blowing towards shore, it may cause the harbours and bays to fill up with drift ice - which then is called pack ice. These photos show pack ice in Bay Roberts Harbour. This ice, however, does not hinder vessels from navigating in and out of the harbour at reduced speeds. (However, we haven't tried it with our rubber dingy and oars.) The wind blowing across the ice causes an extremely cold spring and many residents say it indicates a cooler summer will follow.

Bay Roberts' harbour is one of the largest and safest in the province. It is a natural harbour that is open year-round.

These two old derelicts are being dismantled and will eventually be sunk off-shore to help build a coral reef.