One of my oil tankers loaded crude oil in the North Sea and is currently
at Halifax, Nova Scotia, preparing to discharge the cargo, but can't do
it
until the crew can free up the pumping and rigging equipment on the main
deck from the ice.

These pictures, taken this morning from the main deck of the ship, give
you a bit of an idea about how bad the weather can be coming across the
Atlantic in the winter. This ship probably has a crew of about 30-40
people total, and they'll have to take turns with axes, hammers, pipes,
etc.
trying to break apart the ice before they can go in to port.

I guess shoveling your sidewalk isn't so bad after all....