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 CHAPTER IX 



HANDLING AN UNESCORTED VESSEL IN ICE 



The first requisite of tlie embryonic ice pilot is to develop a healthy 

 respect for tlie tremendous power of tlie ice. He must never permit 

 the peaceful appearance of an ice field to lull him into a false sense of 

 security. On the other hand, he need not fear the ice, since a great 

 deal of progress through ice can be made by a vessel m capable hands. 



In general, ice is an obstacle to the progress of any vessel, and is 

 dangerous to vessels which by their construction were not intended for 

 ice navigation. Nevertheless, it is possible for ordinaiy vessels to 

 navigate through regions of open pack. The long periods of summer 

 daylight in high latitudes greatly facilitate such operations, and the 

 ability to see obstacles contributes markedly to the ease of ship 

 handling. 



ENTRY INTO ICE 



When a vessel encounter ice lying on her course, a careful decision 

 must be made whether to attempt to penetrate the ice, or to steam 

 around it. If the boundaries of the ice are in sight, do not enter, but 

 skirt it to windward. In the case of larger ice areas, unless they fill 

 straits through which the vessel must pass or completely block access 

 to her port of destination, the vessel will generally find it more 

 economical of fuel and time to take the longer way around the ice zone. 



When conditions make it necessary to enter the ice, the point of 

 entry should be selected with great care. Make a thorough recon- 

 naissance, using radar and aircraft (if available), put an experienced 

 ice pilot in the crow's nest, and search for water sky. The following 

 principles govern choice of the place of entry : 



1. Consider the penetrability of the ice along the proposed course 

 inside the edge of the ice field, with regard both to the thickness and 

 the degree of consolidation. 



2. Never enter ice wdiere pressure exists, as evidenced by tenting or 

 rafting. 



3. If possible, enter the ice up-wind. The windward edge of an 

 ice field is more compact than the leeward edge. Moreover, the in- 

 dividual pieces of ice in violent motion from wave action will be 

 damped out on tlie leeward edge. If it is necessaiy to enter downwind, 



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