The Finnish Coast Guard successfully conducted a rescue operation yesterday for two wing sailors who found themselves in distress as their ice floe broke apart. The incident occurred approximately seven kilometers south of Lauttasaari, where the sailors were adrift on a sizable ice floe measuring about ten by fifteen meters. The Coast Guard deployed a rescue helicopter to the scene after receiving notification of the situation from local authorities.

According to Coast Guard rescuer Hannes Suvilaakso, operations of this nature have recently been less common, attributed to an overall lack of durable ice conditions during the winter season. The unpredictability of sea movements can be particularly dangerous for individuals navigating on ice. Suvilaakso speculated that low water levels under the ice and changing wind patterns may have contributed to the breaking of the frozen surface, leading to the sailors' predicament, as well as potential disruptions caused by the wakes of passing vessels.

Suvilaakso emphasized the dangers associated with areas where solid ice meets open water, highlighting the importance of caution when venturing onto frozen surfaces. This incident serves as a reminder of the hazards that can arise in winter maritime conditions, particularly when fluctuating weather can unexpectedly alter safety parameters on the ice.