INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL 1964 



In accordance with the terms of the International Convention on 

 Safety of life at Sea, London, 1948, the International Ice Patrol was 

 conducted in 1964 by the U.S. Coast Guard and was the 45th such 

 patrol since 1913. After four successive light iceberg years, 1964 saw 

 a return to normal as an estimated 369 bergs drifted south of 48° N. 

 compared to the annual average of 382 since 1900. See table 1 for ice- 

 berg statistics compiled from International Ice Patrol records. 



The Ice Patrol operated during the period 2 March to 29 July in the 

 vicinity of the Grand Banks Newfoundland from its base at the 

 U.S. Naval Station, Argentia, Newfoundland. Comdr. Glenn O. 

 Thompson, USCG was assigned as Commander. International Ice 

 Patrol. Operating forces assigned to the Commander included the 

 U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Argentia, Newfoundland; U.S. Coast 

 Guard Radio Station NIK, Argentia; U.S. Coast Guaixi Cutter ^ver- 

 green^ oceanographic vessel; and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters 

 Acushnet and Cherokee^ standby patrol vessels. 



For the first time, the International Ice Patrol w^as operated by a 

 nucleus unit permanently stationed at Argentia. Commander, In- 

 ternational Ice Patrol was also commanding oiRcer of the U.S. Coast 

 Guard Air Station, Argentia and U.S. Coast Guard Radio Station 

 NIK. For the first time the Commander, International Ice Patrol, 

 had operational and administrative control of all assigned aircraft 

 and personnel, the ice operations office, and the radio station, making 

 for a more cohesive and effective organization than was possible before. 

 The new organization has pennitted a more efficient Ice Patrol during 

 the ice season and also more efficient study and observation of ice 

 conditions during the rest of the year. 



For the second consecutive year northern ice observation flights 

 were conducted primarily to determine the Grand Banks iceberg po- 

 tential for the coming ice season. An early iceberg survey was con- 

 ducted 3-5 December 1963 along the Labrador and Baffin Island coasts 

 to Cape Dyer, and a second survey was conducted 27-28 February 

 from Newfoundland to Cape Chidley, the northern tip of Labrador. 

 Both surveys indicated a greater supply than was available for the 

 1963 ice season. It is planned to increase the scope of northern ice 

 observation to include a systematic study of the iceberg problem from 

 the source in Baffin Bay to termination at the Grand Banks. As data 

 are annually accumulated, analyzed, and correlated with meteorolog- 



1 



