Introduction 



This is the 75th annual report of the International Ice Patrol (IIP). 

 It contains information on Ice Patrol operations, environmental conditions, 

 and ice conditions for the 1 989 IIP season. The U.S. Coast Guard conducts 

 the International Ice Patrol Service in the North Atlantic under the provisions 

 of U.S. Code, Title 46, Sections 738, 738a through 738d, and the International 

 Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, regulations 5-8. 

 This service was initiated shortly after the sinking of the RMS TITANIC on 

 April 15, 1912 and has been provided annually since that time. 



Commander, International Ice Patrol, working under Commander, 

 Coast Guard Atlantic Area, directs the IIP from offices tocated in Groton, 

 Connecticut. IIP analyzes ice and environmental data, prepares daily ice 

 bulletins and facsimile charts, and replies to requests for ice information. 

 IIP uses aerial Ice Reconnaissance Detachments and surface patrol 

 cutters to survey the southeastern, southern, and southwestern regions of 

 the Grand Banks of Newfoundland for icebergs. IIP makes twice-daily 

 radio broadcasts to warn mariners of the limits of all known ice. 



Vice AdmiralJ. C. Inwin was Commander, Atlantic Area until March 

 31 , 1 989, and Vice Admiral H. B. Thorsen was Commander, Atlantic Area, 

 from March 31, 1989, to the end of the 1989 ice year. CDR S. R. Osmer 

 was Commander, International Ice Patrol until July 31, 1989. CDR J. J. 

 Murray commanded Ice Patrol for the remainder of the 1989 ice year. 



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