Test Site Selection During the USCGC Healy Ice Trials

The new USCGC Healy underwent icebreaking performance trials during April-May 2000 in Davis Strait and southern Baffin Bay. The testing requirements placed heavy emphasis on icebreaking performance in level first-year ice, although testing in pressure ridges and multiyear ice was also required. A crucial aspect of the testing program was to rapidly locate suitable testing sites. A combination of systems for receiving and processing satellite imagery helped to satisfy this requirement. The Healy was equipped with a TeraScan system, capable of directly downlinking and processing visible, infrared, and passive microwave imagery from overflying National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. In addition, the Canadian Ice Service provided an Ice-Vu system, an ice analysis and navigation system, with which we obtained RADARSAT images, ice analysis charts, and weather forecasts. Using these two systems, promising ice floes were selected, and helicopter reconnaissance flights verified the location, thickness, and suitability of the floes for testing. The ship was routed to the selected sites using the satellite imagery and helicopter reconnaissance information.

• Record URL:
  http://www.poac.com/Papers/POAC01_V2.zip
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03766756
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions (POAC).
• Corporate Authors:

  Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Tucker, Walter
  • Provost, Roger
  • Andrews, Jeff
  • Hutchinson, David
• Conference:
  • 16th International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC'01)
  • Location: Ottawa , Canada
  • Date: 2001-8-12 to 2001-8-17
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: POAC '01: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions
  • Publisher: Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)
  • ISSN: 0376-6756
  • EISSN: 2077-7841
  • Serial URL: http://www.poac.com/PapersOnline.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ice concentration; Icebreakers; Meteorology; Navigational satellites; Special purpose ships; Testing; Thickness; Weather forecasting
• Identifier Terms: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Geographic Terms: Baffin Bay
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01588394
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 28 2016 9:01AM