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Estonia Weighs Hiiumaa Supply Cutoff as Ice Crisis Worsens
The ferry Regula ran aground twice on Tuesday amid critically low water levels and the worst ice conditions in a decade, prompting operator TS Laevad to cancel sailings through February 5th and discuss cutting off all but essential supplies to Estonia's second-largest island.
- —Ferry service to Estonia's second-largest island, Hiiumaa, is experiencing significant disruptions due to worsening sea ice conditions and critically low water levels, leading to canceled sailings and extended journey times.
- —The ferry Regula has run aground multiple times and had its departures canceled through February 5th, with authorities considering restricting travel to essential supplies only.
- —TS Laevad, the ferry operator, is monitoring the situation hourly and discussing crisis measures with local and state officials, including the possibility of declaring a full crisis situation if water levels drop further.
- —The shallow channels between Rohuküla and Heltermaa are a primary concern, with dredging work having been long overdue, exacerbating the impact of the current freeze.
- —Other islands are also experiencing similar issues, with some residents resorting to hazardous ATV crossings to obtain essentials, and appeals have been made to the government regarding escalating isolation crises.
Recap
The Hiiumaa ferry disruption is a case study in systemic vulnerability, where years of delayed channel dredging have collided with a severe, prolonged freeze. The resulting operational crisis forces authorities to consider isolating the island, a direct consequence of infrastructure neglect meeting predictable environmental extremes. The situation is less a surprise weather event and more the materialization of a known, unaddressed risk.