U.S. Coast Guard talks Arctic at recent summit

With growing demand on its services, the U.S. Coast Guard held its first Coast Guard Arctic Summit this month.

Seventy representatives gathered for the two-day meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

“The [United States Coast Guard] has150-plus years of history dedicated to the Arctic community and is committed to executing our significant roles and responsibilities as the lead federal agency in this important region,” Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, commander, 17th district, said in a news release.

“This first-ever Coast Guard Arctic Summit is an important step to synchronize and strengthen our efforts to meet the large and growing demand for our services across the Arctic.”

The goal of the meeting was to develop recommendations allowing for better coordination and integration across the service on the Arctic, a region of the world becoming more active and requiring more agency response and monitoring.

No one from the U.S. Coast Guard replied to requests from comment this week on the nature of the increased demand for services in the Arctic or what is driving them. But in a news release, the agency said this month’s initiative was part of the U.S. looking to fortify its presence in the North.

“The Coast Guard Arctic Summit is part of a multi-phased approach that allows us to advance our Arctic strategy and strengthen U.S. leadership in the region,” the agency said. 

The summit took place Dec. 6-7.

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