The Estonian minehunter EML Admiral Cowan sustained damage when it encountered exceptional ice conditions while departing from Estonian waters on February 16. Following the incident, the vessel was directed to emergency repairs, as confirmed by the Estonian Navy's information officer. The navy indicated that no other ships were affected by this event, and the remaining minehunters are operational and prepared to undertake their assigned missions.

While specific details regarding the severity of the damage and the costs associated with the repairs have not been disclosed, it is notable that this incident draws attention to the challenges posed by ice conditions in maritime activities. The Estonian Navy has confirmed that the ice class of the Admiral Cowan's hull is designed to navigate through harsh conditions, yet this episode highlights the potential risks and necessity for proper navigational assessments in such environments.

In addition, there were rumors of damage to another naval vessel, the patrol ship Raju, but the navy's information officer refuted this claim. The EML Admiral Cowan, which is part of a trio of minehunters purchased by Estonia from the UK, exemplifies the country's commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities, and this incident raises questions about the effectiveness of these vessels in maintaining operational readiness during extreme weather conditions.