Waterways around the Northeast are beset by ice that is more than a foot thick in some places , making life miserable for those who make their living on the water . Scott Werner of Portland , Maine , said this winter has been ' a horror show ' for lobster fishermen like himself . The ice has prevented him from getting his boat out to fish in recent weeks , and cut into his ability to make money in the already slow winter lobstering season , he said . ' I 'm not going to risk it . I do n't want to break anything , ' Werner said . 'It 's been brutal , but what are you going to do ? ' Scroll down for video . New lows : Portland Harbor in Maine is encountering more ice than ever thanks to the coldest February on record - several lobster boats were locked in the ice and ice breakers are needed to keep commerce flowing . Iced waterways are a problem in other Northeast locations , such as off of Boston , where a commuter ferry carrying more than 100 passengers got delayed by about 45 minutes when it was slowed down by the coastal ice pack on February 20 . And in New York , where the Coast Guard is cutting ice on the Hudson River so barges carrying heating oil , gasoline and jet fuel can reach destinations . The thickest part is in the area of Germantown and Hudson , north of New York City . In some spots the ice is a foot-and-a-half thick , Coast Guard officials said . 'The barges traveling from New York City to Albany have the most difficult time transiting through that one area , so that 's where the Coast Guard is devoting its effort to keep clean , ' Coast Guard Lt. Ken Sauerbrunn said . Landlocked : Lobster fishing boats are locked in ice at Widgery Wharf in Portland , Maine . It was the coldest February on record in Portland according to National Weather Service records that go back to 1940 . The frigid temperatures froze more than ten lobster fishing boats in ice off of Portland , said Bill Needelman , the city 's waterfront coordinator . Fewer fishermen have been able to pursue key food fish such as haddock and pollock , which has cut into landings at the city 's fish pier and lessened activity at the Portland Fish Exchange auction , he said . The ice also is causing damage to piers and could contribute to erosion , Needelman said . Freezing conditions : A lobsterman looks out at the icy waters while checking on the condition of his boat in Portland , Maine - Ice clings to pilings at the high-tide mark in the background . He said this year 's ice likely will take a heavy toll on waterfront infrastructure in the city . 'It 's a highly destructive force and we can anticipate that there will be a lot of maintenance needs and repair needs , ' he said . The Coast Guard experienced an approximately two week period in February when it 's ice-cutting tug , Shackle , was out cutting ice every day , Chief Warrant Officer Bob Albert said . Cutting was needed in Portland Harbor , the Fore River and parts of Casco Bay to allow for petroleum deliveries and for commuter ferries and fishing vessels to traverse the waterways , he said . 'The demand for ice breaking this year has exceeded any demands that have been placed on the Coast Guard at any time in the last ten years , ' Albert said .
Scott Werner of Portland said this winter has been ' a horror show ' for lobster fishermen like himself . The ice has prevented him from getting his boat out to fish in recent weeks , and cut into his ability to make money in the slow winter lobstering season . the Portland Fish Exchange experienced an approximately two week period in February when it 's ice-cutting tug , Shackle , was out cutting ice every day .