Bulletin No. 86 

 REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC 



Season of 2000 

 CG-1 88-55 



Forwarded herewith is Bulletin No. 86 of the International Ice Patrol, describing the 

 Patrol's services, ice observations and conditions during the 2000 season. After an 

 unusually light year in 1999 in which only 22 icebergs found their way south of the 48*^ 

 parallel north, 2000 once again challenged the Ice Patrol with a "normal" season. The 

 first year of the new millennium saw 843 icebergs cross 48- North to threaten the trans- 

 Atlantic shipping lanes. The International Ice Patrol's efforts were once again successful 

 in protecting vessels that heeded the posted limits of all known ice from collision with 

 icebergs. Unfortunately, iceberg collision did claim a victim inside the limits. The BCM 

 Atlantic was lost off the coast of Labrador in March after colliding with a small iceberg. 

 Luckily, the crew was able to take to boats and all hands where successfully rescued. 

 This latest casualty again reminds us just how dangerous a vessel/iceberg encounter 

 can be. Mr. Brian T. Hill of the Institute for Marine Dynamics, National Research Council 

 Canada has compiled a fascinating database of the over 560 iceberg collisions that have 

 been documented in the North Atlantic over the past 200 years. This database builds 

 nicely on a less comprehensive effort completed by Lieutenant Douglas W. Crowell and 

 the Ice Patrol staff originally published as an appendix to Bulletin No. 59 documenting 

 the 1973 season. While the International Ice Patrol does not typically include the works 

 of other agencies in our Annual Report, Mr. Hill's work so appropriately aligns with the 

 history, mission and core values of the Ice Patrol, that the opportunity to publish this 

 fascinating documentation on the peril of icebergs at sea was irresistible and wholly 

 appropriate. We extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Hill for the opportunity to present this 

 intriguing article and historic database. 



R. L DESH 



Commander, U. S. Coast Guard 



Commander, International Ice Patrol 



