INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL. 1947 



The ice season of 1947 was the second during which the Tnterna- 

 tional Service of Ice Observation and Ice Patrol has been in opera- 

 tion since the interruption of World War II. As there are differences 

 in organization between the present day and prewar ice patrols 

 and as the most enlightened cooperation from the maritime fra- 

 ternity depends in part on a knowledge of the manner in which the 

 International Ice Patrol functions, some of the salient aspects of ice 

 patrol are repeated here in the hope that a wide dissemination of 

 such information will result beneficially to all concerned. 



The basic principle of ice patrol remains unchanged, namely, that 

 being forewarned is being forearmed. This means placing in the 

 hands of the mariners who are in or about to traverse the area 

 where ice may be a menace to life and property the most complete, 

 accurate, and recent information regarding ice that it is practicable 

 to provide. The accomplishment of this objective is then resolved 

 into three processes : the collection, collation, and dissemination of 

 ice information. Ice information is collected from all available 

 sources. The chief sources are reports from merchant vessels, sight- 

 ings by surface and aircraft of the International Ice Patrol, reports 

 from shore stations, and reports from naval surface and aircraft. 

 The collation of all available ice information takes place at the ice 

 patrol office located at Argentia, which is the airfield at which are 

 based the ice patrol aircraft. This permits the aerial observers to 

 report their observations in person and in detail with a minimum 

 of delay. Argentia is also the base for the patrol cutters, and Radio 

 Argentia (NWP) is used by the ice patrol for its radio traffic to and 

 I from the ice patrol oflfice. At this nerve center all ice reports are 

 ! combined with all ice sightings, duplicate reports are eliminated as 

 j far as possible, and the information is condensed into a single bul- 

 letin. 



For maximum usefulness the ice reports must be prompt, and 

 because of this time element, radio is used for both the collection 

 and dissemination of ice information. The radio call sign of the 

 International Ice Patrol (NIDK) is normally guarded by the patrol 

 cutter in the area. However, prior to the inauguration of a con- 

 tinuous surface-vessel patrol, when a patrol cutter is not in the 

 area, Radio Argentia guards the call NIDK and at all times accepts 

 traffic for NIDK should a ship be heard calling and unable to 

 establish communication with the patrol cutter. The ice informa- 

 tion is disseminated chiefly by means of the regularly scheduled 

 NIDK ice bulletins which are broadcast by Radio Argentia twice 

 each day. Occasionally other safety (TTT) broadcasts are made 

 upon receipt of the information in cases where ice is discovered in 

 a position of unusual hazard and when, if reported by a ship, a 



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