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Multi-year ice and fragments of icebergs can pose a danger to vessels transiting polar seas. However, the risk of ice damage could be reduced if ships were able to detect and avoid hazardous ice in their paths. Fuel consumption is also higher for vessels transiting heavy ice conditions, so it is more ecient to steer clear of multi-year ice. e sink- ing of the cruise ship Explorer in the Antarctic in 2007 has amplied the need for marine radars that can help mariners to detect and avoid dangerous ice in polar seas. Conventional marine radars are designed for large-target detection, so smaller targets may not be noticed, particularly within sea clutter (radar echoes of wave crests). Enhanced marine radars that digitize the analog radar signal can provide a higher denition image of the ice and help the navigator to identify cer- tain ice features, but they cannot distinguish rst-year ice from old ice. Fortunately, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Transport Canada (TC), and other government departments are developing a high-speed, cross-polar- ized marine radar system that can detect bergy bits and growlers (small icebergs) and distinguish between multi-year ice and less dangerous rst-year ice. Beginning development In 2006, the CCG and TC began the rst phase, acquir- ing a Rutter Ice Navigator radar with a Sigma S6 radar processor. e x-band marine radar was modied to Marine Ice Hazard Radar Improving safety and eciency in multi-year ice environments BY BARBARA OCONNELL CCGS Henry Larsen has been testing the ice hazard radar in the high Arctic o Ellesmere Island and Greenland. January 2011 www.sname.org/sname/mt (mt notes )