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Ice class ships have special construction provisions and qualities to operate in icy waters without sustaining damage. They have thicker hull material, increased spars and bulkheads, special rudder and propeller features, heated fuel and ballast tanks, and improved sea chests. They receive special high-tensile strength keel and hull materials, and have heating elements within the ballast and fuel tanks. Despite these features, they undergo a classification procedure to identify their ice safety classification.
An ice class ship or hull has several special construction provisions and qualities that help the vessel operate in icy waters without sustaining damage. A thicker hull material is one of the main differentiating features of an ice class vessel. Increased spars and bulkheads also help provide strength to the icy cruiser. Other special components that are present on an ice-class ship are the special features of the rudder and propeller along with heated fuel and ballast tanks. Improved and protected sea chests are also included in the special frozen water sailboats.
While not as heavily fortified as a real icebreaker, ice class ships are equipped to withstand icy waters better than a common ship. From the start of construction, an ice-class ship receives special high-tensile strength keel and hull materials. Thicker skin is better prepared to withstand direct contact with heavy ice. Closerly located beams and beams provide greater strength and protection for the ship, while increased, more watertight bulkheads provide a measure of protection if a hole is drilled in the ship’s hull. However, ships can still be stranded in the frozen waters and require the assistance of an icebreaker to help remove the ice.
Any ship operating in frozen water is subject to freezing ballast tanks and gelled diesel fuel. Ice class ships place special heating elements within the ballast and fuel tanks to eliminate or slow this process. Oil heaters allow engines to spin easier in cold weather, while heaters in the bearings and shaft seals maintain a constant flow of lubrication and flexibility to the seals that prevent water from seeping around the shafts. Special propeller reinforcement in the nose area helps ice class ships protect against ice damage to the propulsion system.
Various types of protection are used in the rudder area of ice-class ships to prevent rudder damage from disabling the ship while at sea. Even with all the improvements and safety features and precautions taken to protect against ice damage, special ships undergo a classification procedure that identifies ships from lowest to highest ice safety classification. Often a ship with a lower safety rating will convert to a higher rating to fulfill a shipping company obligation. Insurance and cargo contracting are common reasons for an upgrade to any ice class rating.
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