Introduction 



This is the 68^^ in a series of annual reports on the Inter- 

 national Ice Patrol Service in the North Atlantic. It contains 

 information on ice conditions and Ice Patrol operations for 

 1982. The U. S. Coast Guard conducts the International Ice 

 Patrol Service in the North Atlantic Ocean under the provi- 

 sions of Title 46, U. S. Code, Sections 738, 738a through 

 738d, and the International Convention for the Safety of 

 Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1960, regulations 5-8. Commander, In- 

 ternational Ice Patrol, working under Commander, Coast 

 Guard Atlantic Area, directs the International Ice Patrol 

 from offices located at Governors Island, New/ York. The of- 

 fice analyzes ice and environmental data and prepares the 

 daily ice bulletins and facsimile charts, and replies to any 

 requests for special ice information. It also controls the 

 aerial Ice Reconnaissance Detachment and any surface 

 patrol cutters when assigned, both of which patrol the 

 southeastern, southern, and southwestern limits of 

 icebergs. 



Vice Admiral James S. Gracey, U. S. Coast Guard, was 

 Commander, Atlantic Area until May 24, 1982, at which time 



he was relieved by Vice Admiral Wayne E. Caldwell, U. S. 

 Coast Guard. Commander J. J. McClelland, Jr., U. S. Coast 

 Guard, was Commander, International Ice Patrol, and was 

 directly responsible for the management of the Patrol dur- 

 ing the entire season. 



A pre-season deployment was made from 1-3 March 1982 

 to determine the early season iceberg distribution. Based 

 on this trip, the regular deployments began on 10 March 

 with the 1982 season officially opening on 13 March. 



From that date until 27 August 1982, an aerial Ice Recon- 

 naisance Detachment (ICERECDET) operated from Gander, 

 Newfoundland, averaging one patrol every two days over 

 the Grand Banks. The season officially closed on 1 

 September 1982. 



No U. S. Coast Guard cutters were deployed to provide 

 Ice Patrol oceanographic support or to act as surface 

 patrol vessels this year. 



During the 1982 season, an estimated 188 icebergs 

 drifted south of 48 degrees North. Table 1 shows monthly 

 estimates of icebergs that crossed 48 degrees North. 



Table 1 

 Estimated Number of Icebergs South of Latitude 48 Degrees North, 1982 Season 



1982 



Total 



1946-1982 



Average 



1946-1982 



Total 



1900-1982 



Average 



1900-1982 



FEB MAR APR MAY 

 17 61 13 



JUN 

 94 



JUL AUG 

 3 



272 1172 3131 2993 1865 



7 32 85 81 50 



724 3274 7976 10076 5383 



9 39 96 121 65 



489 



13 



1685 



20 



100 



3 



489 



