Canadian Coast Guard 2018 Arctic Season Underway

MONTREAL, June 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Coast Guard's annual Arctic operational season is underway and includes a maiden voyage to the Arctic by the CCGS Samuel Risley. The season will run into late November, providing extended vessel presence in the Arctic under investments from the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan.

The CCGS Samuel Risley will depart July 11 from Quebec City for her maiden voyage to Arctic waters, where she will participate in Operation Pacer Goose, which is the annual resupply mission for the Thule US Air Force base in Greenland. Six other Coast Guard icebreakers deploy this season to support Coast Guard operational and program commitments, such as providing safe escorts of ships through ice-covered waters. Each vessel is equipped with knowledgeable and experienced Commanding Officers and crews.

    May 25    CCGS Amundsen, departed Quebec City for BaySys
               (Hudson Bay System) Study


    June 20   CCGS Martha L. Black, departs Quebec City for
               Arctic operations including Aids to Navigation


    June  24  (on or about) CCGS Pierre Radisson, departs
               Quebec City for icebreaking


    July 5    CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, departs Victoria for
               science programming and Aids to Navigation


    July 11   CCGS Samuel Risley, departs Quebec City in
               support of operation Pacer Goose and to
               support Arctic initiatives


    July 12   CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, departs Halifax for
               icebreaking and science programming, and to
               relieve the CCGS Martha L. Black


    August 16 CCGS Henry Larsen, departs St. John's, NL to
               conduct icebreaking

Coast Guard icebreakers are ready to assist the shipping industry during the annual Arctic resupply missions, known as "sealift". Industry and partners have access to daily updates about ice conditions and icebreaker operations throughout the shipping season, which further enhances communication and support for activity in the North.

Throughout the season, a number of international agencies, researchers and partners, such as the Department of National Defence, the Government of Nunavut, and the Royal Canadian Navy will join our vessels to carry out new or ongoing scientific projects, technical sea trials and training operations.

As schedules and opportunities permit, our Commanding Officers will reach out to Northern and Inuit communities to engage them in training and familiarization opportunities around search and rescue or environmental response activities.

Quotes

"During our Arctic season, we are committed to engaging and working with Indigenous communities and organizations on multiple initiatives as part of the Oceans Protection Plan. This includes identifying and utilizing low-impact shipping corridors to help keep oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier, while providing an increased presence in the Arctic to protect our coasts and waterways."

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"The Canadian Coast Guard is dedicated to yet another successful Arctic season. We are eager to continue our important work in Arctic waters to help ensure the safety of both mariners and our oceans by working together with industry, Indigenous peoples and northern communities."

Julie Gascon, Assistant Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard, Central and Arctic Region

Quick Facts

    --  In 2017, seven icebreakers were deployed to the Arctic, from Iceland to
        the Beaufort Sea, from Rankin Inlet to Eureka
    --  Annual reopening of the Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre
        (MCTS) in Iqaluit was on May 15, and will remain open until December 23,
        2018, at which time NordReg services will be provided by Prescott MCTS
        until the 2019 Arctic season
    --  The Coast Guard is opening an Inshore Rescue Boat station in Rankin
        Inlet, NU, to be operated by Indigenous students from the Arctic
    --  As our ships approach communities where fast ice is present, CCG crews
        will contact the community to ensure that hunters and other residents
        are advised to avoid the area during operations
    --  CCGS Henry Larsen and CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier are delivering bicycles
        to Ulukhaktok, NWT and Cape Dorset, NU in partnership with the Polar
        Bike Project for the third year in a row

Associated Links

    --  Backgrounder - 2018 Arctic Coast Guard Season
    --  Canadian Coast Guard - Search and Rescue
    --  Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
    --  Start Your Career With the Canadian Coast Guard

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Central & Arctic Region