Bulletin No. 90 

 REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC 



Season of 2004 

 CG-1 88-59 



Forwarded herewith is Bulletin No. 90 of the International Ice Patrol, describing Ice Patrol's services 

 and ice observations and conditions during the 2004 season. Opening on 27 April, the 2004 season 

 marked the latest opening date on record. Warmer-than-normal winter temperatures off the Labrador 

 coast coupled with a series of powerful low-pressure systems during January resulted in limited sea-ice 

 growth and the destruction of icebergs that would normally reach the shipping lanes during February 

 and March. 



Though a light season, the following Core Values governed Ice Patrol activity, ensuring continued 

 operational excellence: 



Partnerships Built on the Spirit of International Cooperation 



Continuous Improvement through the Use of Technology 



Individual Commitment to the IIP Mission 



Nowhere is the spirit of international cooperation better demonstrated than in the collaborative work of 

 the North American Ice Service, in which IIP became one of three component services in 2004, joining 

 the U.S. National Ice Center and the Canadian Ice Service. Ice Patrol's participation in this group 

 sparked continuous process improvement, particularly in upgrading the iceberg drift and deterioration 

 model (outlined in Appendix E). IIP continued to validate the use of satellites for detecting and 

 identifying icebergs (Appendix D). While much work is still needed, this technology holds hope for 

 the future of iceberg reconnaissance, hi addition, IIP looks to its history to inspire commitment to the 

 mission. The cover of this year's report depicts one of several iceberg-destruction experiments. 

 Appendix C is a fascinating article documenting the history of these experiments. Although we have 

 been unsuccessful in our attempts to destroy icebergs, the crew of IIP continues to diligently monitor 

 iceberg danger and reduce the risk of iceberg collision by providing accurate, timely warnings to 

 transatlantic shipping. 



I hope you enjoy reading this report of the 2004 season. 



^7^./^. (t)LZ^ 



M. R. Hicks 



Commander, U. S. Coast Guard 



Commander, International Ice Patrol 



