From the shore

Frozen. The vast white plain stretches as far as the eye can see except this one undulates with the tide. Now the only blue is overhead on a clear day. Boat traffic has long since ceased, until today. The cargo vessel, Trinityborg is trapped in place at the wharf in Summerside and the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, the Edward Cornwallis is in port to release her from the icy grip.

My husband and I watched the progress of the vessels as we walked the boardwalk. The icebreaker led the way with the cargo vessel following.

When the Cornwallis cleared the harbour, she stopped and waited for the larger vessel. 

When the Trinityborg cleared the harbour, she blew the horn.

Then the Cornwallis proceeded into the Northumberland Strait followed by the larger ship. They became part of that vast white plain.

The Trinityborg has a website where one can follow her progress. She was headed to Belledune in northern New Brunswick, through the icy Strait. I imagine the Cornwallis saw her safely there.

It was an interesting diversion to watch the two vessels as we walked the boardwalk.

The freeze

It happened quickly as it does every year. One day, we drove by the harbour at Summerside and hundreds of black ducks were on the beach at low tide or dabbling nearby in the open water. Two days later, it was a different sight.

My husband and I saw the cargo ship in port and wondered if it would venture into the icy harbour. 

This new ice couldn’t have been too thick for the vessel already? Or was any ice too much? 

A week later our questions were answered as the Canadian Coast Guard Ship, Sir William Alexander, 

cut her way through the harbour, opening a channel for the cargo vessel. The Alexander, a light icebreaker, is stationed in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and works in the Canadian Maritimes.

It was the first time we had seen an icebreaker at work though we have always lived on islands affected by winter ice conditions. We stopped and watched as she worked her way into the harbour. 

Iphone photos had to suffice. 

Soon the smelt shacks will appear on the frozen harbour while vessel traffic has ceased for a few months. Such is the rhythm of life on Prince Edward Island.