When capable remote sensing systems are ac- 

 quired, Ice Patrol will enter the third phase of 

 its development : Phase I — Surface Patrol Vessel 

 Scouting; Phase II — Aircraft Surveillance; and 

 Phase III — Remote Sensing. This might well 

 be in conjunction with a longer range model 

 aircraft, which could facilitate operating from a 

 base more remote from the Grand Banks region. 



The final phase, as envisioned by the author, is 

 Phase IV — Satellite. As the state of this art 

 rapidly improves and becomes available, it should 

 be possible in the near future to utilize either a 

 geo-stationary satellite or one providing rapid 

 repeat all-weather surface coverage of the area. 

 This satellite would have the resolution to moni- 

 tor individual icebergs and ice conditions and 

 movement. On board sensors would measure the 

 environmental conditions. The satellite would 

 then broadcast the data to a receiving station for 

 analysis prior to broadcast, or the satellite would 

 develop the data itself and broadcast to shore 

 transmission sites and direct to mariners. This 

 latter method would be the most efficient and 

 lowest cost to Ice Patrol. 



To conclude, the International Ice Patrol ren- 

 ders an invaluable service to all mariners. Since 

 the Patrol's inception, not a single ship has been 

 sunk due to striking an iceberg outside the limits 

 of all known ice as broadcast by the International 

 Ice Patrol. Records show that ships have col- 

 lided with bergs and sank inside these limits, 

 indicating that the warnings were not heeded and 



ships steamed through the danger area. Outside 

 the Patrol's area of responsibility several modern 

 ships have hit bergs and sank. Most notable are 

 the M/V HANS HEDTOFT on 30 January 

 1959, and the M/V BERGEMEISTER on 25 

 November 1965, both off Kap Farvel, Greenland. 

 Thus, the unblemished record of Ice Patrol 

 should not be allowed to lull anyone into a false 

 sense of security, nor should this check Ice Pa- 

 trol's improvement through scientific research. 



References 

 INTERNATIONAL ICE OBSERVATION 

 AND ICE PATROL SERVICE IN THE 

 NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN: (U.S. Coast 

 Guard) 



Bulletin No. 7, Seasons of 1916 and 1919 

 Bulletin No. 18, Season of 1929 

 Bulletin No. 21, Season of 1931 

 Bulletin No. 32, Season of 1946 through Bulle- 

 tin No. 45, Season of 1959 



REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ICE 

 PATROL SERVICE IN THE NORTH AT- 

 LANTIC OCEAN: (U.S. Coast Guard) 



Bulletin No. 46, Season of 1960 through Bulle- 

 tin No. 60, Season of 1974 



REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ICE 

 PATROL, Seasons of 1951 through 1975 ; letters 

 to Commandant 



International Ice Patrol Headquarters files. 

 Governors Island, New York 



52 



