Introduction 



This is the 85'^ annual report of the International Ice Patrol (IIP). It contains 

 information on Ice Patrol operations, environmental conditions, and iceberg conditions 

 for the 1999 IIP season. The U. S. Coast Guard conducts the Ice Patrol in the North 

 Atlantic under the provisions of the U. S. Code, Title 46, Sections 738, 738a through 

 738d, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974. The 

 IIP is supported by 17 member nations (Appendix A). It was initiated shortly after the 

 sinking of the RMS TITANIC on April 15, 1912 and has been conducted yearly since that 

 time with the exception of brief periods during the two World Wars. 



Commander, International Ice Patrol (CMP) is under the operational control of 

 Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. CIIP directs the Ice Patrol from its Operations 

 Center in Groton, Connecticut. In addition to its own ice reconnaissance, IIP receives 

 iceberg location reports from ships and planes transiting its patrol area. We salute MN 

 Berge A/orc/who provided the most ship reports during the 1999 ice year. IIP conducts 

 aerial Iceberg Reconnaissance Detachments (IRD) to sun/ey the southeastern, southern, 

 and southwestern regions of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland for icebergs. Ice 

 Patrol's IRDs were based in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada during the 1999 season. 

 IIP analyzes ice and environmental data and employs an iceberg drift and deterioration 

 model to produce twice-daily iceberg warnings, which are broadcast to mariners as ice 

 bulletins and radiofacsimile charts. IIP also responds to requests for iceberg information. 



The cover is a picture from the ramp of a U. S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth 

 City HC-130H flying over an iceberg near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland while 

 conducting Ice Patrol reconnaissance. Photo by AVT1 Kevin Daniels. 



Vice Admiral Kent H. Williams was Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. 

 CDR Stephen L. Sielbeck was Commander, International Ice Patrol. 



For more information concerning the U. S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol, 

 including daily iceberg bulletins and facsimiles, see HP's website at 

 http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/iip/home.html. 



