INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL 1972 



The 1972 International Ice Patrol Service in the North Atlantic 

 Ocean was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard under the provisions of 

 Title 46, United States Code, Sections 738, 738a through 738d, and 

 the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960, 

 Regulations 5 through 8. The International Ice Patrol is a service 

 for observing and disseminating information on ice conditions in 

 the North Atlantic. During the ice season, the southeastern, southern 

 and southwestern limits of the regions of icebergs in the vicinity of 

 the Grand Banks of Newfoundland are guarded for the purpose of informing 

 passing ships of the extent of this dangerous region. The International 

 Ice Patrol also studies ice conditions in general, and affords assistance 

 to ships and crews requiring aid within the limits of operation of Ice 

 Patrol forces. 



The International Ice Patrol was directed from the Ice Patrol 

 Office located on U.S. Coast Guard Base, Governors Island, New York. 

 The Ice Patrol Office gathers ice and other environmental reports 

 from various sources, maintains an ice plot, forecasts ice conditions, 

 prepares the Ice Bulletin, and maintains operational control of the 

 Ice Reconnaissance Detachment, the Ice Patrol oceanographic cutter 

 and the Surface Patrol cutter when assigned. 



Vice Admiral Benjamin F. ENGEL, USCG, was Commander, International 

 Ice Patrol. Captain Eugene A. DELANEY, USCG, was directly responsible 

 for the management of the Patrol. 



Preseason Ice Patrol flights were made in January and February, 

 1972. The Ice Reconnaissance Detachment deployed to Canadian Forces 

 Base Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on 28 February and returned to 

 the United States on 2 September. 



The 1972 ice season officially commenced at 0000 GMT 29 February 

 when the first Ice Bulletin was issued, and continued until 4 September. 

 The twice daily Ice Bulletin was broadcast by International Ice Patrol 

 Radio Station Boston/NIK, U.S. Naval Radio Station Washington/NSS, 

 Canadian Maritime Command Radio Station Mill Cove/CFH, and Canadian 

 Coastal Radio Station St. John's/VON. Radio Station Boston 

 included the Ice Bulletin on the Western North Atlantic High Seas 

 Broadcast eight times daily and broadcast an ice radiofacsimile chart once 

 a day throughout the ice season. 



