In March, parts of the surfaces of our shallower coves become solid with sea ice at high tide; that ice becomes fragmented at low tide when the sea level drops to the bottom. The images below were taken last week. First, there is high tide in part of Conary Cove:
This is low tide in part of Great Cove:
Here is a skim of sea ice trying to form around the Town Dock in Naskeag Harbor:
If it’s cold enough, the sea ice will “heal itself” back into a solid mass after it floats up on the incoming tide. Due to its salt content, sea water doesn’t freeze until its temperature drops to 28.4 degrees (F) and stays there or below for some time. But, the ice contains so little salt that melting it produces drinkable water. (Brooklin, Maine)