INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL, 1960 



Between 11 March and oO June 1900, the International lee Patrol 

 operated in the Xorth Atlantic Ocean to serve the safety of ships 

 traversiTig the shipping- lanes in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of 

 Xewfoundlar.d. This service has been conducted annually since 

 191.3, except for the years 1942 through 1945, by operating forces of 

 the L'nited .States Coast Guard. The 1960 iceberg year was a rela- 

 tively light one with approximately 253 bergs drifting southward of 

 the 48tli ])aiall('l of latitude duririg the year as comjiared to the 693 

 in 1959. 



Connnander Ross P. Bullard. USGG, was assigned as ( 'oinmander, 

 International Ice Patrol. Facilities placed under Gonunander 

 Bullard's command were the U.S. Goast Guard Air Detachment, 

 Argentia, Xewfoundlarid; L^.S. Goast Guard Radio Station X^IK, 

 Argentia, Xewfoundland; U.S. Goast Guard Gutter Evergreen (ocean- 

 ographic vessel); and the U.S. Goast Guard Gutters AcushnH and 

 Gentian, standby patrol vessels. 



Primary ice observation for the season was conducted by aircraft. 

 A secondary but indispensable source of information consisted of 

 reports from merchant and government vessels. Additional valuable 

 information was received from the Ganadian Ice Information Office at 

 Halifax, the Ganadian National Telegraph at St. Jolnis, Danisli 

 sources in Greenland, and the U.S. Xavy. 



The Office of Gommander, International Ice Patrol was moved to 

 the United States X'aval Station at Argentia, X'ewfoundland, on 8 

 March and patrol services were inaugurated on 11 March. The ice 

 situation that date showed extremely light coPiditioriS with no icebergs 

 or pack ice south of Belle Isle. Ice conditions were lighter than 

 normal during March and .Vpril, somewhat heavier than normal 

 during May and lighter tlian normal during June. A detailed descrip- 

 tion sunnnarizing monthly ice conditions throughout the year appears 

 in a later section. The raj)id warming of the waters over the Grand 

 Banks, the relative inactivity of the Labrador Gurrent south of the 

 49th parallel, and the distribution of ice permitted termination of ice 

 patrol services with the 1248Z broadcast on 30 June. Inasnuich as 

 ice conditions were light, the establishment of a surface patrol was not 

 necessary and the shipping track shifts were made on schedule. 



The reader will note that this bulletin of the series has l)een retitled 

 from the previous "International Ice Observation arid Ice Patrol 

 Service." The former title reflected a distiriction made when the patrol 

 was conducted by ships alone. The term "Ice Observation" was used 



1 



