http://www.chc.nrc.Cci/English/Cold%20Regions/Reports/PERD/grandbanks e.htm 



Finally, HP's data and documentation are also provided for long-term preservation to the 

 National Archives and Records Administration in accordance with U. S. Government 

 requirements. 



Comparisons 



Tables 1 and 2 summarize the iceberg observations from the IIP archives for the five-year 

 period 2002-2006, with 2006 the only year in which the databases were synchronized. The size 

 and shape categories in Tables 1 and 2 follow the traditional classification scheme described in 

 Manual of Standard Procedures for Observing and Reporting Ice Conditions (CIS, 2005), also 

 known as the MANICE code. The iceberg portion of the MANICE code was developed jointly by 

 CIS and IIP. ( http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/content contenu/ice codes/manice/CH APTER4.pdf ) 



As described earlier in this report, 2006 was an extraordinarily light ice year. No icebergs 

 were estimated to have passed south of 48°N. As such, it is not a very good year to make detailed 

 comparisons of the impact of the synchronization (or even to conduct a comprehensive 

 operational evaluation). For example, it is not useful to parse out the sightings south of 50°N or 

 52°N to compare with previous years because there were so few icebergs. 



The most noteworthy change in the 2006 database is the large increase in the number of 

 radar targets entered. As indicated by both tables, approximately one-quarter of the included 

 observations were detected only by radar. This is a large departure from the previous four years 

 when the percentages were less than ten. It is appropriate to include a stationary radar target 

 reported by a ship because the mariner is generally able to determine whether a target is drifting 

 slowly rather than moving in a determined way. In most cases IIP doesn't include radar targets 

 provided by aircraft unless corroborated by visual observation because typical aircraft-based 

 radars have difficulty distinguishing between vessels and icebergs. This is a particular concern in 

 high ship-traffic areas, but less of a concern north of 52° N where there is less maritime traffic. 

 IIP enters radar targets reported by aircraft if the radar is capable of distinguishing between a 

 vessel and an iceberg (such as the AN/APS-137 on the IIP reconnaissance aircraft.) 



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