On Jan 18, 7:39*pm, Len Wood wrote:
It has been mild in Scandinavia too.

http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Rec...innish+icebrea...

This winter the Finnish icebreakers have commenced operation
exceptionally late.
Between 1995 and 2011 the latest start date for the icebreaking
season was in 2007.
In that year the first icebreaker cast off from Katajanokka on
January 16th, in other words a day earlier than this winter.
A year ago, the first time that icebreaking services were
required was already in November 2010, reports Arctia Shipping Ltd, a
state-owned enterprise providing icebreaker services.

That should save a lot of sulphurous bunker oil for next dear. Add
that to the saving of wear and tear on the ships not involved and we
have a nice little negative bonus to play against glowaballs.