Introduction 



This is the 84 th annual report of the International Ice Patrol (IIP). It contains 

 information on Ice Patrol operations, environmental conditions, and iceberg 

 conditions for the 1998 IIP season. The U. S. Coast Guard conducts the Ice Patrol 

 in the North Atlantic under the provisions of the U. S. Code, Title 46, Sections 738, 

 738a through 738d, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 

 (SOLAS), 1974. The IIP is supported by 17 member nations (Appendix A). It was 

 initiated shortly after the sinking of the RMS TITANIC on April 15, 1912 and has 

 been conducted yearly since that time. 



Commander, International Ice Patrol (CUP) is under the operational control of 

 Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. CMP directs the Ice Patrol from its 

 Operations Center in Groton, Connecticut. IIP receives iceberg location reports from 

 ships and planes transiting its patrol area and conducts aerial iceberg 

 reconnaissance detachments (IRDs) to survey the southeastern, southern, and 

 southwestern regions of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland for icebergs. IIP 

 analyzes ice and environmental data and employs an iceberg drift and deterioration 

 model to produce twice-daily iceberg warnings, which are broadcast to mariners as 

 ice bulletins and radio-facsimile charts. IIP also responds to requests for iceberg 

 information. Ice Patrol's IRDs were based in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada 

 during the 1998 season. 



The cover is a picture of a U. S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC- 

 130 flying over an iceberg near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland while conducting 

 Ice Patrol reconnaissance. Photo by PA1 Brandon Brewer. 



Vice Admiral Kent H. Williams was Commander, Atlantic Area. CDR Stephen 

 L. Sielbeck was Commander, International Ice Patrol. 



For more information concerning the U. S. Coast Guard International Ice 

 Patrol, including daily iceberg bulletins and facsimiles, see HP's website at 

 http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/iip/home.html. 



