clues about the identity of targets. 

 However, FLAR's superior imaging 

 capability provides definitive target 

 identification in nnost cases. Figure 12 

 displays the number and types of targets 

 detected by reconnaissance patrols during 

 the 2003 season. A total of 728 icebergs 

 were detected by IRDs, 36% (264) were 

 identified with radar alone (i.e., were never 

 seen visually) while the remaining 64% 

 (464) were identified using a combination 

 of visual and radar information or by visual 

 means alone. These data demonstrate 

 HP's reliance on radar information. 

 Determining whether a radar target is an 

 iceberg or a vessel is difficult with small 

 vessels and small icebergs. The Grand 

 Banks is a major fishing area frequented 

 by fishing vessels ranging in size from 60 

 to over 200 feet. Small vessels and small 

 icebergs sometimes present similar radar 

 returns and cannot be differentiated. 

 When there are no clear distinguishing 

 features, a target is classified as a radar 

 target. 



Since 1997, the Grand Banks region 

 has been rapidly developed for its oil 

 reserves. In November 1997, Hibernia, a 

 gravity-based oil production platform, was 

 set in position approximately 150 NM 

 offshore on the northeastern portion of the 

 Grand Banks. Each year, there are 



Ships 

 886, 



2500 



2000 



1500 



1000 



SCO 



Radar 



72 



idiijma Growlers 



97 PR 



Figure 12. Breakdown of targets detected by IRDs in 2003. 



Figure 11. Flight hours versus icebergs south of 

 48°N (1993-2003). 



several mobile drilling rigs in the Terra 

 Nova and White Rose drilling fields on the 

 Grand Banks. Increased development has 

 increased air and surface traffic in MP's 

 area of responsibility, further complicating 

 reconnaissance efforts. 



Oceanographic Operations 



Historically, IIP conducted extensive 

 oceanographic surveys on the Grand 

 Banks. Oceanographic operations peaked 

 in the 1960's when the U. S. Coast Guard 

 devoted substantial surface ship resources 

 to collecting oceanographic data. Two 

 factors combined to change the nature of 

 HP's oceanographic operations. First, 

 increased competition among the various 

 U. S. Coast Guard missions made it 

 increasingly difficult for IIP to obtain ship 

 resources. Second, there was a vast 

 improvement in the capability and reliability 

 of deployable oceanographic instruments. 



IIP collected oceanographic data 

 with air or ship-deployed satellite-tracked 

 drifting buoys and Air-deployed 

 expendable BathyThermograph probes. 

 AXBT probes were dropped to determine 

 the water temperature profile. This 

 information helped IIP determine the 

 location of the Labrador Current, validate 

 temperatures from satellite-tracked drifting 

 buoys, and obtain precise SST 

 measurements for numerical models. 

 Figure 13 displays AXBT drop locations 



12 



