Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ice Patrol Formed As A Result Of The Titanic To Honour Victims In Halifax

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Mar, 2016 12:27 PM
    HALIFAX — Members of an international ice patrol that formed as a result of the sinking of the Titanic will be in Halifax this week for a ceremony to commemorate the more than 1,500 people who died in the disaster.
     
    United States Coast Guard Cmdr. Gabrielle McGrath says the memorial will recognize the long history of the International Ice Patrol, which was established after the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean in April 1912.
     
    "It's why we do what we do, so that's why we find it so important," said McGrath in a phone interview. "It's very important to us to remember those people that perished and the fact that that's why we're here doing what we do and really making sure it never happens again."
     
    McGrath, who is commander of the Connecticut-based International Ice Patrol, says the memorial will take place on Wednesday at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, the final resting place of about 120 of the Titanic's passengers and crew.
     
    She said a local priest will bless four wreaths that will be placed on the graves. The wreaths will then travel to the area of the sinking on Thursday, where they will be airdropped into ocean, said McGrath.
     
    Following the sinking of the Titanic, the international community came together to ensure the safety of vessels travelling in the North Atlantic, which is riddled with hundreds of potentially dangerous icebergs every spring, said McGrath. It's the only place in the world where you have a collection of icebergs intercepting a shipping lane, she said. 
     
    "It's definitely very dangerous and it's a very dynamic oceanographic and meteorological environment, so it's something we're always thinking about — making sure another disaster like the Titanic doesn't happen again," said McGrath.
     
    The patrol is operated by the United States Coast Guard but they work with more than a dozen nations who have interests in transatlantic navigation and shipping, including Canada, United Kingdom and Denmark.
     
    The ice patrol works with the Canadian Ice Service to issue reports on iceberg whereabouts. The agencies use aerial reconnaissance and satellite images to pinpoint the massive chunks of ice floating in the North Atlantic.
     
    McGrath said since the creation of the International Ice Patrol in 1913, there have been no incidents of vessels striking icebergs within their jurisdiction.
     
    "We feel very proud of our perfect record and that we've been able to stop that risk of iceberg collision," she said.
     
    McGrath said the ceremony used to take place every year or every other year, but one hasn't been held since 2010. The public is also welcome to attend.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    University Of Alberta Students Call For Action To Reduce Fentanyl Deaths

    University Of Alberta Students Call For Action To Reduce Fentanyl Deaths
    A group of University of Alberta students is calling for action to reduce the growing number of people who are dying from fentanyl overdoses.

    University Of Alberta Students Call For Action To Reduce Fentanyl Deaths

    Public Notice Issued About Glue And Fuel-Products Spill Into B.C. Lake

    Public Notice Issued About Glue And Fuel-Products Spill Into B.C. Lake
    Interior Health has issued a public notice, saying the city is using an alternate source for water.

    Public Notice Issued About Glue And Fuel-Products Spill Into B.C. Lake

    Justin Trudeau At UN Promotes Ways To Move To Gender Equality

    Justin Trudeau At UN Promotes Ways To Move To Gender Equality
    The prime minister is explaining his thoughts on gender equality before a clearly approving audience at the United Nations.

    Justin Trudeau At UN Promotes Ways To Move To Gender Equality

    'Everyone Has To Start Somewhere:' Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari Still An Enigma

    'Everyone Has To Start Somewhere:' Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari Still An Enigma
    Three years later, without a seat in the legislature, the 38-year-old remains a bit of an enigma

    'Everyone Has To Start Somewhere:' Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari Still An Enigma

    Ralph Goodale Says Canada Must Be Best In The World At Stopping Radicalization

    Ralph Goodale Says Canada Must Be Best In The World At Stopping Radicalization
    Goodale says initial indications are that the man who attacked two soldiers at a north Toronto military recruitment centre was acting on his own.

    Ralph Goodale Says Canada Must Be Best In The World At Stopping Radicalization

    Kathleen Wynne Says She Worried About Pitching Tuition As Free, Says There Are Caveats

    Kathleen Wynne Says She Worried About Pitching Tuition As Free, Says There Are Caveats
    Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worried about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing "free" tuition, since there are caveats.

    Kathleen Wynne Says She Worried About Pitching Tuition As Free, Says There Are Caveats