Latvian Icebreaker Rescues Two Skaters Adrift in Baltic Sea
A Latvian icebreaker, the Varma, successfully rescued two individuals who became stranded on a drifting ice floe in the Baltic Sea over the weekend. The dramatic rescue unfolded on the night of Saturday, February 21st and concluded in the early hours of Sunday, February 22nd, highlighting the inherent dangers of venturing onto frozen waterways during periods of fluctuating winter temperatures.
The incident began around 8:00 p.m. Local time on Saturday when the Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) received a report concerning two people who had been skating near Plieņciems. According to reports, the ice unexpectedly gave way beneath them, quickly carrying them out to sea on a fragment of broken ice.
The Varma, operated by the Freeport of Riga Authority subsidiary LVR Flote, was dispatched to the scene as the closest available vessel – approximately 35 kilometers from the reported location of the missing skaters. The search operation was immediately recognized as challenging, complicated by darkness and the presence of extensive ice drifts that significantly hampered navigation.
Despite the difficult conditions, the crew of the Varma persevered, conducting a five-hour intensive search. Around 1:00 a.m. On Sunday, they successfully located the stranded individuals and brought them aboard the icebreaker. The rescued pair were then transported to the port of Riga, arriving around 3:00 a.m., where they were handed over to medical personnel for assessment.
Kaspars Ozoliņš, head of LVR Flote, emphasized the rapid escalation of danger when traveling on unstable ice. “It’s a matter of seconds,” Ozoliņš said. “You can even stand on the edge of broken ice and see how the crack widens centimetre by centimetre. At first there is fear, shock, then you realize that you can’t jump over, and all you have to do is wait.”
Liene Ozola, a representative of the Freeport of Riga Authority, confirmed that the Varma’s crew had rescued two people who had been blown into the sea on a piece of drifting ice. The rescue operation underscores the importance of caution and awareness when engaging in winter activities on frozen bodies of water.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of ice conditions and the potential for rapid deterioration, even in areas previously considered safe. Authorities continue to advise individuals to exercise extreme caution and avoid venturing onto frozen surfaces without proper assessment and safety precautions.
The successful rescue by the Varma crew demonstrates the critical role of dedicated search and rescue teams in ensuring the safety of those who venture onto potentially hazardous environments. The quick response and determined efforts of the crew undoubtedly prevented a potentially tragic outcome.
