So, since this year was the warmest February on record in Newfoundland, we didn’t worry too much when we noticed that the ice eater seemed to stop working a few weeks ago.  Harbour Grace was free of ice and we simply unplugged it with a plan to take it up sometime later and check things out.  Then March hit………. Brrrrrrr………. sub zero temperatures again!! That ice eater was needed more than ever before.

We approached Harbour Grace with some trepidation this morning.  As we neared, we saw what we were dreading – the most ice we had seen so far this winter.  Yikes!  Feelings of regret immediately overcame us – regret over not checking out our problem earlier, when temperatures were warm and pleasant, and getting that thing back in the water and under the boat to do its job when it was needed the most…..

Regret turned to elation the moment our eyes rested upon Come What May – she was floating and bobbing leisurely in her spot – the heat from that lovely little oil-filled, electric radiator seemed to have been enough to keep the ice at bay, for now at least.

Nevertheless, we got to the task at hand.  It was cold.  Bone-chilling cold 😦  The deck of the boat was ice covered and slippery, making the job even more difficult.  After much ado, a few choice words, and a lot of grunting, we (yes it took both of us to lift it) finally got that contraption onto the wharf.

As you see from the video thumbprint, the ice eater looks a little like a washing machine drum doesn’t it?  It is a simple device – the propeller simply keeps the water moving underneath the vessel so that the ice cannot form around her hull.  Marvellous invention.  Not sure whoever dreamed it up has ever been to Newfoundland – but this device, we discovered, does a whole lot more; like vacuum the ocean floor?  If ever the authorities want to dredge Harbour Grace, we’ve given them a head start.

Watch right to the end to see what we mean !