Introduction 



This isthe 79th annual report of the International Ice Patrol (IIP). 

 It contains information on Ice Patrol operations, environmental condi- 

 tions, and ice conditions for the 1993 IIP season. The U.S. Coast 

 Guard conducts the Ice Patrol in the North Atlantic underthe provisions 

 of U.S. Code, Title 46, Sections 738, 738a through 738d, and the 

 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, 

 regulations 5-8. The IIP is supported by 1 7 member nations (Appendix 

 A). It was initiated shortly afterthe sinking of the RMS TITANIC on April 

 15,1912 and has been provided seasonally since that time. 



Commander, International Ice Patrol is underthe operational 

 control of Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. He directs the IIP 

 from its Operations Center in Groton, Connecticut. IIP analyzes ice 

 and environmental data, prepares daily ice bulletins and facsimile 

 charts, and responds to requests for ice information. IIP uses aerial Ice 

 Reconnaissance Detachments (ICERECDETs) and, when necessary, 

 surface patrol cutters to survey the southeastern, southern, and 

 southwestern regions of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland for ice- 

 bergs. In 1993, MP's ICERECDETs were based in St. John's, New- 

 foundland, Canada. MP's Operations Center uses an iceberg drift and 

 deterioration model to produce twice-daily radio broadcasts to warn 

 mariners of the limits of all known ice. 



Vice Admiral Paul A. Welling was Commander, Atlantic Area 

 and Commander Alan D. Summy was Commander, International Ice 

 Patrol during the 1993 season. Appendix B presents a list of the 

 Commanders of the International Ice Patrol since 1914. 



