Summary and Lessons Learned 



In summary, the light ice years of 1999 and 2005 highlighted opportunities for Ice Patrol 

 to improve its processes — not only for future mild ice years but for incorporation into standard 

 operating procedures. First, both the 1999 and 2005 ice seasons demonstrated the logic in 

 modifying the Ice Patrol definition of ice season to conform with the SOLAS definition. As of 

 2006, the Ice Patrol season will be fixed in time from 15 February to 1 July every year. During 

 this period, Ice Patrol will continue to monitor iceberg danger and will be prepared to establish 

 the Limits of All Known Ice and disseminate products in accordance with the "Announcement of 

 Services." 



The key component in "monitoring iceberg danger" is making systematic ice and 

 environmental observations; the requirement for a careful assessment of the risk of iceberg 

 collision to the transatlantic mariner has remained unchanged since 1912. Today, improved 

 access to Internet products and increased commercial activity on the Grand Banks augment C-130 

 aerial reconnaissance and have replaced the costly labor-intensive ship-based oceanographic 

 cruises that used to "guard" the ice limits in the past. Now, with a few clicks of a mouse, the Ice 

 Patrol Commander can instantly get a comprehensive view of the atmosphere and ocean 

 environment to help plan reconnaissance and make strategic and tactical decisions on Ice Patrol 

 operations. This wealth of environmental data, coupled with a tremendous increase in oil 

 exploration and production activity, has provided the Ice Patrol Commander with more 

 information than ever before. With an expected increase in container, bulk-ore, and tanker-vessel 

 traffic, these extra eyes will serve as both a welcome resource to help guard the Limits of All 

 Known Ice and the impetus for continued careful observation and interpretation of the iceberg 

 threat to shipping. 



As a result of both the 1999 and 2005 seasons, IIP incorporated changes into its standard 

 operating procedures. Because of inquiries from shipping during the 1999 season, Ice Patrol now 

 broadcasts a weekly product beginning on the first Friday of each season to assure mariners that 

 IIP is monitoring ice danger, allowing transatlantic vessels to follow the safest, most economical 

 route across the Atlantic. Furthermore, in an effort to train and qualify new Operations Center 

 personnel, IIP staff innovatively devised a mock season to simulate active ice conditions. This 

 valuable tool has served to qualify watch officers and is available to future Ice Patrol 

 Commanders to help prepare for each upcoming season. 



The M/V OOCL Challenge's collision in 1993 poignantly illustrates the importance of 

 HP's decision to commence disseminating daily LAKI products even when relatively few 

 icebergs threaten the transatlantic shipping lanes. Mariners rely on and have come to expect 

 vigilant ice observation. The recent light ice seasons of 1999 and 2005 have stressed the need to 

 assure mariners that IIP vigilantly monitors ice conditions regardless of a season's severity. 

 These light seasons challenge the way Ice Patrol operates and inspire continuous improvement in 

 an effort to achieve HP's vision: to eliminate the risk of iceberg collision. 



1 International Maritime Organization. (2004). Consolidated text of the International Convention for the Safety of Life 

 at Sea, 1974, and its Protocol of 1988: articles, annexes and certificates. Chapter V, Regulation 6, 359. 



2 Ibid. 



i U. S. Department of State Multilateral Agreement. ( 1 956). Safety of Life at Sea: Financial Support of the North 



Atlantic Ice Patrol, Exhibit A-l , 1 . 



53 



