Method for improving the ice-breaking properties of a water craft and a water craft constructed according to the method

摘要

A watercraft has a hull with a first end and a second end and is equipped at its second end with a propulsion arrangement that includes at least three propulsion devices each provided with a propeller. A majority of the propulsion devices are rudder propeller devices, and the propeller of at least one of the propulsion devices is at a first distance from the second end of the hull and the propeller of at least another one of the propulsion devices is at a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the hull. In ice conditions the watercraft is operated with the second end ahead, so that at least one propeller at the first distance from the second end of the hull breaks ice and at least one propeller at the second distance from the second end of the hull moves disintegrated ice or ice chunks away from the ice build-up.