Canadian Coast Guard celebrates 60th Anniversary, demonstrates Arctic environmental response capacity in Iqaluit, Nunavut Français
YELLOWKNIFE, NT, Sept. 23, 2022 /CNW/ - A busy week of environmental response training ended in celebration with a community open house event in Iqaluit, Nunavut, last week.
The Canadian Coast Guard held a training exercise involving a simulated marine oil spill clean-up operation on Thursday, September 15th. The exercise simulated the initial response to a significant diesel spill in the vicinity of the Port of Iqaluit. Response crews exercised observation, response, and beach flush missions. Led by Nunavut-based Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response personnel, the mission involved a National Aerial Surveillance Program aircraft from Transport Canada and the CCGS Henry Larsen, among other personnel and assets. Members of the community and the media were invited to witness the exercise.
On Friday, September 16th, the Canadian Coast Guard welcomed the community for a special 60th Anniversary open house event at Iqaluit Square. The public was invited to meet with personnel, view equipment used to keep Arctic waters safe, and ask questions about career paths and employment opportunities.
In 2022, the Canadian Coast Guard is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The theme for this anniversary is "Celebrate the past. Navigate the future." Throughout 2022, we are looking back on all of our accomplishments in the last 60 years and focusing on our future as a progressive, innovative organization.
The Canadian Coast Guard is past the mid-way point of its 2022 Arctic operational season, which runs annually from June to November.
Canadian Coast Guard's icebreakers were deployed to the Arctic to support northern communities and operational and program commitments this season. This includes escorting vessels through ice-covered waters to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies to Northern communities, conducting hydrographic surveys, maintaining navigational aids, supporting science programs, and working with provincial, territorial, national and international maritime partners.
Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers working in the Arctic are equipped to deal with emergency issues such as search and rescue and marine pollution incidents.
Between August 1-12th, CCGS Des Groseilliers participated in Operation Pacer Goose, the annual resupply mission of the U.S. Air Force base in Thule, Greenland. The Canadian Coast Guard's icebreaking services allowed cargo ships and tankers to safely access the base for critical resupply and refueling.
Between August 7-9th, the Canadian Coast Guard participated in Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik, an annual joint Arctic exercise led by Canada's Department of National Defence. The Canadian Coast Guard worked with national partners from the Royal Canadian Navy, international partners from the U.S. Coast Guard, and French and Danish navies.
On August 12, 2022, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced new funding while meeting with Indigenous organizations and governments on key priorities in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. This new funding, announced under Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, will see the local station upgraded to become an Arctic Maritime Response Station.
The Canadian Coast Guard will use the funding to hire and train additional crew from local communities; extend the station's operational season by one month annually, beginning in 2023, to align with the entire ice-free boating season in the area; procure an additional search and rescue vessel, purpose-built for Arctic operations; and, undertake further infrastructure improvements to enhance operational capabilities.
Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers operate in the Arctic annually until November; however, operations are subject to change due to ice conditions, weather, and/or industry shipping schedules.
"The Canadian Coast Guard plays an essential role in supporting Arctic communities and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels in Canada's northern waters. In partnering with northern communities, the Canadian Coast Guard works to ensure the waterways are safe for coastal communities."
The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"It has been wonderful to see the pride shown throughout our organization from coast to coast to coast this year as we find unique ways to celebrate the Canadian Coast Guard's 60th Anniversary. The Canadian Coast Guard's Arctic Region, now in its fourth year, represents a massive geographical area of responsibility, and its growth is a direct result of the continued dedication of our personnel, partner organizations, and communities across the North."
Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
"I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished since the creation of the Canadian Coast Guard's Arctic Region in 2018. This week's successful exercises and community open house have been a fantastic opportunity for us to put that pride on full display in honour of the Coast Guard's 60th Anniversary. As demand for our services continues to increase in the Arctic, we will be there to meet the challenge."
Neil O'Rourke, Assistant Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard – Arctic Region
- The Canadian Coast Guard's Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut opened for the season on June 29, 2022 to provide search and rescue services during the peak boating season. As of September 16, 2022, crews assisted on three search and rescue cases and carried out three training exercises. The station will remain open until October 25, 2022.
- Four Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers have dedicated seabed mapping programs, providing the Canadian Hydrographic Service platforms to conduct survey work and increase the amount of sea floor surveyed in the Arctic to support charting efforts. Navigational charts released by the Canadian Hydrographic Service provide essential maritime information to support safe and efficient navigation in the Arctic.
- The Marine Communication and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre in Iqaluit, Nunavut opened for the Arctic season on May 16, 2022. During the season, MCTS Iqaluit provides navigational support to vessels under the Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone (NORDREG). These vessels include Canadian Coast Guard ships, cargo ships, tankers, bulk carriers, cruise ships, and sailing vessels. It will remain open until December 16, 2022, at which time NORDREG services will be provided by the MCTS centre in Les Escoumins, Quebec until the reopening of Iqaluit's MCTS centre for the 2023 season.
Associated Links
- Oceans Protection Plan
- Search and Rescue services
- Environmental Response
- Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary – Central & Arctic
- Start Your Career With the Canadian Coast Guard
- Canadian Coast Guard at 60
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SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard
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Kevin Lemkay, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region, 204-984-4715, [email protected]
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