The Canadian Ice Service (CIS) provides reliable and timely information about ice conditions in Canadian waters. As a result, we promote safe and efficient maritime operations and we help protect Canada's environment.

Here are some of the key activities that allow us to carry out our mission and objectives:

• We provide daily ice hazard bulletins and charts describing ice conditions in active navigable waters.
• We provide an ice warning service for extreme ice events within ice-encumbered waters.
• We provide daily iceberg bulletins and charts for Canadian waters south of 60N.
• We produce weekly ice analyses of active ice areas for strategic planning purposes.
• We conduct ice reconnaissance with a specially instrumented Dash-7 aircraft, as well as by helicopter.
• We maintain the Canadian Ice Service Archive for climatological purposes.
• We contribute Canadian ice data to the World Data Center for Glaciology.

Products & Services for Canadians

Many individuals, organizations and industries call on the CIS to provide the best available information on ice and iceberg conditions. Major users of our products and services include:

• the Canadian Coast Guard - weather and ice information for marine safety, icebreaking operations and efficient marine transportation
• port authorities - site-specific information on current and long-term ice conditions in ports and shipping routes
• commercial shipping companies - information for strategic and tactical vessel passage planning
• fishermen and fishing fleets - en route and on-site ice conditions for ice-encumbered areas
• offshore oil and gas companies - iceberg and sea ice information for exploration and production, both on-site and in transit
• mining industry - ice conditions along coastal areas and supply routes
• construction industry - site-specific current and historical data for offshore and onshore projects, such as bridges and port facilities
• tourism and recreation industry - technical and general information for the operation of cruise ships and the enjoyment of passengers
• marine insurance companies - risk assessment for offshore operations affected by ice
• environmental consultants - data, analysis and expert advice for impact assessments
• research scientists - ice information for research on transportation, construction, climate change, meteorology, oceanography, biology and socio-economic impacts.

How Do We Do It?

To meet our mission and objectives, we collect and analyze vast amounts of data on ice conditions in all Canadian regions affected by the annual cycle of pack ice and iceberg growth and disintegration.

• In Summer, we focus on the Arctic and the Hudson Bay regions.
• In Winter and Spring, attention shifts to the Labrador Coast and East Newfoundland waters, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Please contact us for more information on putting the expertise of the CIS to work for your company or organization.

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Last Updated: 2003-03-19

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