Canadian Coast Guard winds up its 2022 Arctic season
The Canadian Coast Guard has wound up its 2022 Arctic operational season, the agency said on Thursday.
“The Canadian Coast Guard has successfully completed its 2022 Arctic operational season, with all seven icebreakers deployed this year having returned from the Arctic,” the agency said in a news release.
The responsibilities of the Canadian Coast Guard in the Arctic include search and rescue, icebreaking, and support for things like scientific research, marine communications and traffic services, navigation, marine environmental response and the summer re-supply of northern communities.
- 65 commercial escorts
- 31 helo-based ice reconnaissance missions
- 1 commercial harbour breakout
- 40,561.37 nautical miles travelled by icebreakers combined
The agency has a full-time presence in only three northern locations: the Northwest Territories communities of Yellowknife and Hay River and in Iqaluit in the eastern Arctic territory of Nunavut.
Growing demand for coast guard services
In its year-end round up, the coast guard spotlighted two training exercises and the upgrade of its Inshore Rescue Boat station in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut as highlights.
“As marine traffic in the North continues to increase, so does the demand for coast guard services,” the agency said.
“The Canadian Coast Guard continues to build its Arctic region to ensure it meets this growing demand and delivers on the Government of Canada’s commitment to maritime safety.”
The seven Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers deployed to the Arctic this year:
- CCGS Terry Fox
- CCGS Pierre Radisson
- CCGS Des Groseilliers
- CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier
- CCGS Henry Larsen
- CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent
- CCGS Amundsen
The coast guard’s Arctic operations will restart in May 2023.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: 44 per cent increase in unique ships entering Canada’s Northwest Passage, says report, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: New guideline launched for Arctic-specific risk assessment in shipping, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Ice conditions on Northern Sea Route may pose navigation challenges this season, The Independent Barents Observer
