U.S. Department of Transportation United States Coast Guard Report of the International Ice Patrol in the North Atlantic 1982 Season Bulletin No. 68 CG- 188-37 INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MAILING ADDRESS Cj-QIO U.S. COA.ST GUARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 20593 (202) 426-1881 FEB 28 1984 Bulletin No. 68 REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL SERVICES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Season of 1982 CG-188-37 FOREWORD Forwarded herewith is Bulletin No. 68 of the International Ice Patrol describing the Patrol's services, ice observations, and conditions during the 1982 season. N.C.VENZKE Chief, Office of Operations ICT) "O =o =o =o iO = o DISTRIBUTION SDL Nol 118 A B C D E F G a b c d e f g h i J k 1 m n 0 P q r s t u V w X Y 2 1* 1 1* 1* 1* -*■ 10 2 2 5 1 1* 1* bU 2 2 H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: * A:adfh LANTAREA only * B: b LANTAREA ( S) ; B:b * C: aq LANTAREA only SML CG-4 PACAREA (5: Table of Contents Introduction 2 Data Collection and Dissemination 3 List of Noteworthy Events 4 Discussion of Environmental Conditions 5 Discussion of Ice Conditions 7 Acknowledgements 30 Appendices A. List of Participating Vessels A-1 B. Oceanograptiic Conditions ^'^ 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 SEP 0 OCT 0 NOV 0 DEC 0 JAN 0 10 2 4 11 65 0 0 0 0 2 256 109 110 91 185 3 1 1 1 2 FEB MAR APR MAY 0 17 61 13 JUN 94 JUL AUG 3 0 272 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 Data Collection and Dissemination During the 1982 Ice Patrol Fiscal year (considered from 1 September 1981 through 30 September 1982), 118 aircraft sorties were flown in support of the International Ice Patrol. These Included pre-season flights, ice observation and logistics flights during the season, and post-season flights. Pre-season flights determined iceberg concentrations north of 48°N which were necessary to estimate the time when icebergs would threaten the North Atlantic shipping lanes in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. During the active season, ice observation flights located the southwestern, southern, and southeastern limits of icebergs. Logistics flights were necessary to rotate ice reconnaissance detachment personnel and for unusual air- craft maintenance. Post-season flights were made to retrieve parts and equipment from Gander and to close out all business transactions from the season. Table 2 shows aircraft utilization during the 1982 season. U. 8. Coast Guard C-130 Aircraft, deployed irom Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, conducted the aerial ice reconnaissance. These aircraft operated from Gander, Newfoundland, for the first time. This proved to be operationally and financially superior to operating out of St. John's as in previous years. Weather conditions at Gander allowed more consistent flight operations at lower fuel costs. Table 2 Aerial Ice Reconnaissance From 1 September 1981 to 30 September 1982* Ice Reconnaissance Flights Pre-season In-Season Post-season Number of Flights 6 109 3 Number of Hours Flown 37 539 10 Total 118 586 Note: In-season flights include transport of personnel to and from Gander for normal crew rotation. There were 79 dedicated to Ice reconnalsance, with a total of 396 flight hours. They are summarized as follows: Month MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG Ice Recon Flights 10 15 13 16 11 14 Totals 79 "Prior to the 1982 Ice Patrol Season, the Ice Patrol's annual bulletins covered the period from 1 September to 30 August of the following year. This period was extended an additional month in 1982 to reduce the probability of an ice season carry- ing over into the following year and to correspond with the fiscal year which begins on 1 October. U. S. Coast Guard Communications Station Boston, Massachusetts, NMF/NIK, was the primary radio station used for the dissemination of the daily ice bulletin and fac- simile chart after preparation by the Ice Patrol office in New York. Other transmitting stations included Canadian Coast Guard Radio Station St. John's/VON, Canadian Forces Radio Station Mill Cove/CFH, and U. S. Navy LCMP Broad- cast Stations Norfolk/NAM, Thurso, Scotland, and Keflavik, Iceland. Canadian Forces Station Mill Cove/CFH as well as AM Radio Station Bracknell/GFE, United Kingdom are radio facsimile broadcasting stations which used Ice Patrol limits in their broadcasts. Canadian Coast Guard Radio Station St. John's/VON provided special broadcasts. The International Ice Patrol requests all ships transiting the area of the Grand Banks to report ice sightings, weather, and sea surface temperatures via U. S. Coast Guard Communications Station Boston, NMF/NIK. Response to this request is shown in ''ible 3. Appendix A lists all contributors. Commander, International Ice Patrol extends a sincere thank you to all stations and ships which contributed. Table 3 Number of ships furnishing Sea Surface Temperature (SST) reports 79 Number of SST reports received 434 Number of ships furnishing ice reports 47 Number of ice reports received 92 First Ice Bulletin 130000Z MAR 82 Last Ice Bulletin 020000Z SEP82 Number of Facsimile Charts transmitted 171 List of Noteworthy Events NOVEMBER 1981 International Ice Patrol (IIP) personnel visited CANFORSTA Summerside, Prince Edward Island, CN between 2 and 4 November to determine the feasibility of moving tfie Ice Reconnaissance Detacfi- ment (ICERECDET) operations tfiere. On the 18"^ and 19"^ of this month, IIP personnel made a trip to Gander, NFLD to evaluate Gander as a base of operations for the ICERECDET. JANUARY 1982 IIP made no pre-season deployments during the month. IIP closely monitored berg sightings from Ice Central Ottawa. On the 15"^ of the month, the oil platform OCEAN RANGER capsized during heavy storm conditions while stationed in the IIP operations area. FEBRUARY 1982 No pre-season deployments were conducted. On February 19"^ IIP received the first preliminary berg reports from Canadian reconnaisance flights which reported five bergs along the Labrador coast, the southernmost one sighted at 53°50'N 55°35'W. MARCH 1982 IIP conducted the first pre-season trip to Gander between 1 and 3 March. One reconnaisance flight was flown on this trip and 10 bergs were sighted, all north of 50°50'N. IIP deployed two Tiros Oceanographic Drifters on this flight to gather oceanographic data (see Appendix B, Oceanographic Conditions, for more details). The first regular season deployment departed on the 10"*' of the month. IIP flew pre-season recon- naisance flights on the 11"*^ and the 12"'^. The 11 March flight was flown in conjunction with Cana- dian Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) representatives and was dedicated to the evaluation of the aircraft's Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) as an effective detector of icebergs and sea ice. APRIL 1982 IIP deployed the third and fourth Tiros Oceanographic Drifters on 1 April. On 15 April, the annual Titanic Commemorative flight was flown over the position that the ship was reported to have sunk and a commemorative wreath was dropped over the site along with the cremated remains of Mr. Frank Goldsmith, a young survivor of the Titanic cruise who passed away in January 1982. MAY 1982 This was a normal Ice Patrol month, with 13 reconnaisance flights and 219 new bergs sighted. No unusual events. JUNE 1982 On 16 June, the M/V Canadian Bulker collided with an iceberg at position 47°29.2'N 49°19.5'W, well within IIP reported ice limits. The vessel continued on to St. John's for repairs. JULY 1982 As warmer weather moved in over the patrol area, visibility decreased and hampered recon- naissance operations. IIP conducted eleven reconnaissance flights during the month. AUGUST 1982 This somewhat prolonged Ice Patrol reconnaissance season came to a close this month. The last regular season ICERECDET deployment returned to the U. S. on 27 August. SEPTEMBER 1982The season was officially closed at 0200000 GMT September with the transmission of the final IIP message bulletin. One post-season trip was made to Gander from the 13"^ to the 15'*^ to close out all commercial contracts and retrieve spare parts kept in storage. Discussion of Environmental Conditions Environmental factors, including average temperatures and precipitation levels, play an important role in the pro- duction and deterioration of icebergs. The weather condi- tions for the last quarter of 1981 were slightly warmer than normal throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Rainfall totals were above normal through the end of the year. The arrival of 1982 brought colder weather with below normal temperatures (Table 4) being recorded throughout the pro- vince for the first six months of the year. The summer months had scattered weather patterns without any signifi- cant temperature or precipitation trends developing. Major environmental conditions for the 1982 International Ice Patrol season, from several stations throughout New- foundland and Labrador, are listed in Table 4. The four sta- tions are Hopedale, Labrador (55°25'N, 60°10'W); Goose, Labrador (53°25'N, 60°20'W); Gander, Newfoundland (48''55'N, 54''35'W); and St. John's, Newfoundland (47°35'N, 52°40'W). Table 4 Environmental Conditions for 1982 international Ice Patrol Season Temp °C % of % of Monthly Diff. Total Precip- Normal Normal Station Mean from Mean itation (mm) Precipitation Snowfall Hopedale 9.2 1.5 69.6 95 * SEP 1981 Goose 10.9 1.1 130.5 172 * Gander 12.0 .2 122.8 146 • St. Johns 11.7 -.2 186.9 167 • Hopedale 4.0 1.6 34.0 54 56 OCT Goose 3.9 .7 104.7 146 78 Gander 6.9 .6 208.7 219 37 St. Johns 8.1 1.0 322.2 232 67 Hopedale .2 3.4 • • • * 81 NOV Goose -2.3 1.2 75.5 108 158 Gander 2.1 .2 12.8 121 125 St. Johns 4.0 .5 192.3 119 12 Hopedale -7.2 3.5 63.6 112 92 DEC Goose -8.3 3.9 98.5 144 85 Gander -1.4 1.9 129.6 132 129 St. Johns .4 1.6 112.4 67 45 Hopedale -14.4 1.4 91.5 148 166 JAN 1982 Goose -16.7 -.5 79.4 115 155 Gander -6.6 -.6 133.3 142 166 St. Johns -4.2 -.5 227.8 157 184 Hopedale -20.2 -5.0 45.2 90 • * FEB Goose -20.2 -5.8 65.6 109 • * Gander -10.3 -4.0 153.1 152 • • St. Johns -7.0 -2.8 159.0 102 • * Hopedale • • * * 66.2 119 130 MAR Goose •12.3 -4.0 89.0 128 132 Gander -5.3 -1.8 56.9 59 70 St. Johns -4.0 -1.7 89.1 67 68 Hopedale -6.6 -1.7 62.2 134 180 APR Goose -4.4 -2.7 118.4 219 256 Gander .9 .1 71.7 84 123 St. Johns 2.0 .9 73.1 64 60 * No snowfall recorded during this month • • Data not available at time of publication of bulletin continued next page Table 4 CContinued) Environmental Conditions for 1982 International Ice Patrol Season Station Monthly Mean Temp 'C DIff. from Mean Total Precip- itation (mm) % of Normal Precipitation % of Normal Snowfall MAY Hopedale Goose Gander St. Jofins .2 3.5 6.3 5.5 -1.2 -1.4 -.1 0.0 47.6 70.9 104.7 166.7 87 115 168 168 164 272 103 9 JUN Hopedale Goose Gander St. Johns 3.6 9.9 9.2 7.0 -2.9 -1.2 -2.2 -3.4 35.6 97.7 77.0 154.9 49 120 101 175 11 • • * JUL Hopedale Goose Gander St. Johns 11.4 15.7 15.4 15.6 .6 -.1 -1.1 .3 39.0 78.6 81.5 53.6 45 77 105 65 * * * AUG Hopedale Goose Gander St. Johns 10.5 14.0 15.5 15.4 -.6 -.5 -.3 0.0 127.9 112.9 38.2 110.6 148 122 38 98 SEP Hopedale Goose Gander St. Johns 6.6 9.0 11.8 12.6 .7 -.8 0.0 .7 70.4 92.7 105.6 251.4 96 122 126 244 * 8 • * No snowfall recorded during this month ■k * Data not available at time of publication of bulletin Table 5 Sea Ice Symbols These symbols are frorp the International System of Sea Ice Symbols adopted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). They are used in Figures 1-10, Sea Ice Con- ditions, of this report. Type Thickness Symbol Strips and Patches '°~~' New Ice * * * Close Pack Ice ^^^= Young Ice 10-30 cm ^:^::zr First Year Ice 30-200 cm yy V<^ \X> Discussion of Ice Conditions September ■ December 1981 No sea ice formed south of 65° N during tfie montfis of September and October. Due to above normal air temperatures and precipitation during the last quarter of 1982, the formation of sea ice along the coast was later than normal. By the end of November, the ice had extended only down along the Labrador coast to the northern shores of Frobisher Bay, with some isolated ice forming around Cape Chidley (Figure 1). The sea ice continued to move southward during December. At the end of the month, the ice edge began at Cape St. Francis and extended in a northwesterly direction, about 100 miles off the eastern shores of Newfoundland and Labrador (Figure 2). January ■ February 1982 January was a quiet month for iceberg activity. As in- dicated in Figures 3 and 4, sea ice concentrations con- tinued to increase along the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts as temperatures dropped below normal (see Table 4). Although the southern limit of the sea ice receded slight- ly during January, the density of the pack increased con- siderably as several major storms passed through the area bringing high winds and record low temperatures. By 23 February, the ice edge had moved southward to 47° N. Commander, International Ice Patrol received iceberg sighting reports from several ships but they were all north of 53°50'N. March 1982 Ice Patrol reconnaissance flights were flown on the 2"^, 11"! and 12"i of the month. North of 48°N, IIP observed icebergs approaching the Grand Banks area. Therefore, the regular Ice Patrol season was opened on 13 March. Ten more reconnaissance flights were flown over the course of the month. 156 icebergs were sighted during the month, 17 of which drifted below 48°N. By the end of the month, 87 icebergs remained on computer plot. Figures 11 and 12 show the estimated iceberg concentration on the 15"^ and 30"^ of the month, respectively. Cold temperatures per- sisted in Newfoundland and Labrador, with temperatures ranging from 1 ° to 4°C below normal in most areas, and the sea ice continued to move south as illustrated in Figure 5. April 1982 The sea ice began to retreat northward while at the same time it extended farther eastward than any other time this year (Figure 6). Temperatures for Labrador and New- foundland remained below normal. An estimated 61 icebergs drifted south of 48 °N which is below average for April (see Table 1). The iceberg conditions on 15 and 30 April are shown in Figures 13 and 14, respectively, and by the end of the month, only 37 icebergs remained on com- puter plot. May 1982 The sea ice continued it's northward retreat this month as the weather remained wet and unsettled over New- foundland and Labrador. By the end of the month, the coast of Newfoundland was nearly ice-free (Figure 7). The southern limit of icebergs also receded slightly, and by the end of the month, the eastern limit of icebergs had moved significantly to the west (Figures 15 and 16). On 31 May, 121 icebergs were on computer plot. June 1982 Sea ice continued to move northward (Figure 8); however, the unseasonably cold temperatures in Labrador during April and May did not help melt the southward drifting icebergs. The southern limit returned to below 45°N on 15 June (Figure 17). This month saw the greatest amount of berg activity south of 48°N this year, with 94 bergs drifting south of that parallel before the month's end (Table 1). By 30 June, the southern limit of iceberg activity was up above 46°N (Figure 18) and there were 115 active bergs on plot on 30 June. July 1982 The sea ice continued its retreat northward and, by July 27"^, the sea ice had retreated north of 58 °N with most of the pack north of 61 "N (Figure 9). The estimated southern limit of known icebergs also started to move to the north. Only 3 icebergs drifted south of 48°N during July. The northward migration of the southern limit of icebergs al- lowed the International Ice Patrol to concentrate more of its reconnaissance flights north of 50''N. Consequently, IIP sighted a large number of icebergs between 50°N and 52°N (Figures 19 and 20). By the end of the month, there were 87 active icebergs remaining on computer plot. August - September 1982 By 24 August, all sea ice south of 65°N had melted, with the exception of an area of 1-3 tenths concentration along the Labrador coast at 62°N (Figure 10). Iceberg activity south of 52°N continued to decline (Figures 21 and 22) and no icebergs were recorded drifting south of 48°N during the month. Commander, International Ice Patrol felt the iceberg threat to ships transiting the Grand Banks area had lessened enough to discontinue Ice Patrol reconnaissance flights for 1982 and the final reconnaissance flight was made on 26 August 1982. The 1982 season was officially closed on 2 September, with 23 icebergs still on computer plot. Commander, International Ice Patrol continued to receive iceberg reports during September, but none of these icebergs posed a significant threat to Grand Banks ship traffic. These sightings were forwarded to Ice Central Ottawa, Canada which broadcast the information to North Atlantic mariners. SEA ICE CONDITIONS 01 DECEMBER 1981 SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS ) 55 GRNLD 50 55 50 45 Figure 1 8 55 SEA ICE CONDITIONS 30 DECEMBER 1981 GRNLD SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS) 55 50 45 55 50 Figure 2 CONDITIOf 26 JANUARY 1982 SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS ) 55 50 45 Figure 3 10 GRNLD SEA ICE CONDITIONS 23 FEBRUARY 1982 SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS) 45 55 50 Figure 4 11 GRNLD LABRADOR v$;;yKui>^'^VKv'->jgg]:^ SEA ICE CONDITIONS 30 MARCH 1982 SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS) 9-10 45 55 50 Figure 5 12 GRNLD SEA ICE CONDITIONS 2 7 APRIL 1982 SEA ICE 45 LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE (CONCENTRATIONS IN TENTHS ) 45 55 50 Figure 6 13 Figure 7 14 65 feC 5; -> 6. J '^^^NsfeS 1 ^ 9-10 U , \ C GRNLD k *• ^ 60 |l <