Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenomac
We’re planning an Atlantic crossing from Nova Scotia to the Azores beginning the second week in May. Will there be a problem this time of year with icebergs? We have radar onboard.
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Yes and No.
April is the traditional height of ice season it lasts into The summer.
The bergy come down south along the
Newfoundland coast with the Labrador current in the spring. When they meet up with the
Gulf Stream. The
Gulf Stream carries the back up to the north and east and back to the arctic.
Along with the bergs there are the more dangerous ( hard to see) smaller bergs bits and growlers. Growlers tend to be awash and well rounded. Make ing them virtually invisible to RADAR.
So RADAR may not be a big help.
The good news. You are heading out from N.S. heading for the Azores. Even even leaving from Cape Breton. Avoiding the ice area shouldn’t take you out of your way
Ice Shouldn’t be a problem.
Head out on a rumb line or on a heading south of the rumb line to 44n 40 w if I remember right. Then set your course for the Azores
Should keep you clear.
The international ice patrol keep track of all the ice bergs coming south and there is a regular report on where the ice is along with the
weather.
The patrol is a joint US
Canada venture and both Canadian and Us CG provide updates on the ice limit.
Although good sense and seamanship
advice is to stay south. I might be tempted to go and have a look at an ice berg. If I did I would do so inshore near the Newfoundland coast. And
head back south along the coast before I headed out.
The area of the
Grand Banks with the cold Labrador current, is particularly known for
fog. The combination of fog and ice makes it one of the more dangerous pieces of ocean.
May should be a nice time to make the trip. At least as nice as the NA gets.
Have fun