Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

US weather: Icebreakers sent to Hudson river as bitter temperatures disrupt shipping routes

Cold weather has frozen key shipping and ferry lanes solid

Jon Stone
Saturday 28 February 2015 08:08 EST
Comments
A boat travels across the Hudson River towards Manhattan island in New York City
A boat travels across the Hudson River towards Manhattan island in New York City (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The US coastguard has had to deploy icebreakers on New York's waterways to keep shipping and ferry traffic running.

Although the northeastern US is used to cold winters, conditions have been particular icy in early 2015.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River near Catskill, N.Y
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River near Catskill, N.Y (AP)

Ice in rivers and waterways, including New York's iconic Hudson River, have caused serious travel disruption.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River (AP)

New York City relies on ferries to keep moving and ice build-up from sustained cold weather has brought services to a halt at points in recent weeks.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River in New York state
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon Bay breaks ice in the shipping channel on the Hudson River in New York state (AP)

Temperatures have been consistently below zero for weeks, plummeting further at night.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in