Titanic
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International Ice Patrol

patrol established in 1914 by the agreement of 16 nations with shipping
interests in the North Atlantic Ocean after the Titanic collided with an
iceberg and sank (1912). The patrol locates icebergs in the North Atlantic,
follows and predicts their drift, and issues warnings to ships in the
vicinity. Reconnaissance is conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, using planes
equipped with radar that can detect icebergs in all but the roughest sea
conditions. The Coast Guard exchanges information with the Canadian Ice
Services and also receives reports from passing ships. During the patrol
season, which normally extends from March through August, the Coast Guard
broadcasts twice daily by Inmarsat satellite and by high-frequency radio
facsimile, issuing reports on the locations of all known sea ice and
icebergs. Approximately 1,000 icebergs are tracked each year. Destruction
of dangerous icebergs has been attempted, but with little success.

On the Web

United States Coast Guard: International Ice Patrol
Official information about the International Ice Patrol, which was founded
after the sinking of the Titanic. Includes descriptions of oceanography
projects, FAQs, archives of iceberg data, photographs, and lists of related
links.