INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR SEA-ICE INFORMATION

A new system for reporting sea-ice will improve safety and efficiency levels and generally aid international shipping, according to W.F. Ganong, director of the Ice Branch, Environment Canada. Following successful trials of the system off the Newfoundland coast, accord was reached among Canadian, Soviet, Swedish and American scientists on a method of reporting which uses descriptive symbols. This new development will provide, for the first time, an international code for radio facsimile transmission of charted ice information directly to ships. Previously, nations used their own symbology to describe sea-ice conditions which could normally be interpreted only by their own ships. The newly developed code, once adopted, will make it possible for any ship to receive and interpret sea-ice information issued by any country. Mr. Ganong originally suggested the development and trial of the international ice code at last year's World Meterological Organization Conference (WMO) held in Geneva, Switzerland, Canada will now submit a report of the trials and recommendations for adoption to the WMO which will act as the co-ordinating body to seek acceptance for the new code among all nations with shipping interests in ice-covered waters.

• Corporate Authors:

  Toronto Harbour Commissioners

  60 Harbour
  Toronto, ONo,   Canada 
• Publication Date: 1977-8

Media Info

• Serial:
  • PORT OF TORONTO NEWS
  • Publisher: TORONTO HARBOUR COMMISSION.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cooperation; Ice; Information systems; International; International compacts; Sea ice; Technology transfer
• Uncontrolled Terms: Information transfer
• Old TRIS Terms: Ice information systems; Ice reporting
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172697
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Development News
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM