2-52. If personnel must enter an ic

2-52. If personnel must enter an ice field, they should proceed cautiously. Ice 1 inch thick will stop most recreational boats and can do serious damage to the hull. Boat operators should take into account the time of ebb and flood tides; ice is generally more compact during the flood and is more likely to break up on the ebb. They should move at idle speed, but keep moving. It is important to be patient. Personnel will not be able to tell how thick ice is just by looking at the field in front of them. They should look at the broken ice at the stern of the boat. The boat should make no sharp turns. Operators should watch engine temperatures carefully because ice slush causes problems with water intakes; it rapidly clogs up filters and strainers. Personnel should also keep a good watch on the propellers, especially if encountering large chunks of ice. When backing down, operators should keep the rudder amidship to minimize damage.