Abstract: The invention relates to a watercraft having improved characteristics for travel in ice, particularly an icebreaker, supply vessel, cargo vessel or corresponding, which watercraft has a hull, which has at the stern portion a propulsion and steering arrangement, which is mainly responsible for movement and steering of the watercraft and which includes at least one skeg, in which is located at least one propeller device. In accordance with the invention, said skegs comprise two units located on different sides of the center line of the hull. Said propeller device is located at the stern end of the skeg. In addition, the skeg has between the propeller device and the hull of the watercraft, in the longitudinal direction on the skeg, one or more thruster devices to provide a water flow mainly transverse in relation to the hull.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel or a floating structure operating in ice-covered waters comprising a hull or the like (1, 1?) including at least one bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?), which is exposed to the loading effect of the ice, while the ice or the vessel is moving. Said bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?), in the underwater part of the hull, is equipped with means for leading one or several strong, mainly upwards-directed flows of water towards the ice or the ice field encountered by the bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?). The invention also relates to a method of using the vessel or the floating structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watercraft having improved characteristics for travel in ice, particularly an icebreaker, supply vessel, cargo vessel or corresponding, which watercraft has a hull, which has at the stem portion a propulsion and steering arrangement, which is mainly responsible for movement and steering of the watercraft and which includes at least one skeg-like projection, in which is located at least one propeller device. In accordance with the invention, said skeg-like projections comprise two units located on different sides of the centre line of the hull. Said propeller device is located at the stem end of the skeg-like projection. In addition, the skeg-like projection has between the propeller device and the hull of the watercraft, in the longitudinal direction on the skeg-like projection, one or more thruster devices to provide a water flow mainly transverse in relation to the hull.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel or a floating structure operating in ice-covered waters comprising a hull or the like (1, 1?) including at least one bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?), which is exposed to the loading effect of the ice, while the ice or the vessel is moving. Said bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?), in the underwater part of the hull, is equipped with means for leading one or several strong, mainly upwards-directed flows of water towards the ice or the ice field encountered by the bow-like end or a similar hull portion (2, 2?). The invention also relates to a method of using the vessel or the floating structure.