Because of ice conditions during the season, several recommenda- 

 tions in connection with the North Atlantic Track Agreement tracks 

 were made by Commander, International Ice Patrol, viz: 



(a) On 25 February a recommendation was made to shift United 

 States-European shipping from Track C to Track B because of a 

 number of bergs drifting south along the east slope of the Grand 

 Banks. This recommendation was concurred in by the North Atlan- 

 tic Track Agreement operators, and Track B was made effective on 

 26 February. 



(6) On 26 February shipping using Canadian Track D was ad- 

 vised to divert so as to pass 20 miles south of all known ice (as given 

 in the NIK ice bulletins). This distance was increased to 40 miles 

 on 27 February and to 60 miles on 1 March to allow for drift of the 

 bergs along the east slope of the Grand Banks pending the relocation 

 of those bergs. This diversion was shown to be no longer necessary 

 by aerial scouting on 6 March, and shipping was duly notified. 



(c) Canadian Track E became effective on 11 April, and ships 

 using that route were advised to cross longitude 45° W. in latitude 

 46°30' N. westbound and 46°00' N. eastbound to avoid field ice and 

 bergs in the vicinity of Flemisli Cap. On 10 May this diversion was 

 eliminated, although caution between longitudes 45° W. and 52° W. 

 was advised because of several bergs lying along the track in that 

 area. 



(d) Due to the presence of bergs near the Tail of the Banks on 24 

 June, a recommendation was made that Track B remain in force 

 after 1 July, the scheduled date for Track C to become effective, until 

 further notice. The North Atlantic Track Agreement operators con- 

 curred, and shipping was notified accordingly. Track C was made 

 effective on 13 July by the North Atlantic Track Agreement operators 

 when informed by Commander, International Ice Patrol, that no 

 threat to Track C remained. 



During the period 1-12 July, effective aerial scouting was con- 

 ducted in the area south and southeast of the Tail of the Banks, 

 along the east slope of the Grand Banks, and between the east coasts 

 of Newfoundland and Labrador and the 1,000-fathom curve as far 

 north as latitude 54°30' N. No bergs remained which could threaten 

 the major transatlantic shipping lanes during 1954. Therefore, the 

 International Ice Observation and Ice Patrol Service for 1954 was 

 terminated 16 July. However, at the request of Commander, Inter- 

 national Ice Patrol, the United States Coast Guard Air Detachment 

 at Argentia periodically made postseason ice reconnaissance flights 

 covering the Labrador Current off the east coast of Newfoundland to 

 prevent the undetected drift of any stray berg into the shipping lanes. 



