Canadian Coast Guard begins 2023 Arctic Season

June 22, 2023

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories - The Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) annual Arctic operational season is underway. In total, eight CCG icebreakers are scheduled to deploy from June into November to support northern communities and operational and program commitments.

• June 14 – CCGS Vincent Massey departed Quebec City, QC, for icebreaking in Frobisher Bay and Hudson Strait.
• June 17– CCGS Pierre Radisson departed Québec City, QC, for icebreaking, opening and maintenance of the Killiniq weather and communication station, commissioning aids to navigation in the Hudson Strait, refueling the remote Eureka station, science, and Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) surveys.  
• June 19  – CCGS Terry Fox departed St.John’s, NL, for icebreaking and Operation Pacer Goose, the annual resupply of Pituffik Space Base (formerly US Thule Air Base) in Greenland.
• July 5 – CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier departs Victoria, BC, for icebreaking, aids to navigation maintenance in the Western Arctic, science, resupply, and CHS surveys.
• July 8 – CCGS Amundsen departs Quebec City, QC, for science missions led by Amundsen Science.
• July 27- CCGS Henry Larsen departs St. John’s, NL, for icebreaking and CHS surveys.
• August 1- CCGS Des Groseilliers departs Quebec City, QC, for icebreaking and CHS surveys.
• August 3 – CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent departs St. John’s, NL, for icebreaking, the Joint Ocean Ice Study scientific mission in Beaufort Sea, and the closing of the Killiniq weather and communication station. 

CCG ships and their dedicated crews are ready to assist the shipping industry during the annual Arctic resupply missions. Safe and efficient navigation in Arctic waters is maintained throughout the shipping season by providing daily updates on ice conditions and operations, as well as ice escorts, when needed, to industry and partners.

CCG’s seasonal Marine Communication and Traffic Services (MCTS) centre in Iqaluit, NU, opened on May 15, 2023. In the Arctic, MCTS Officers play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation in the region; they respond to maritime distress calls, manage the Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations (NORDREG), broadcast weather and ice information, and navigational warnings. MCTS Iqaluit will remain open until mid-December 2023, at which time NORDREG services will be provided by the MCTS centre in Les Escoumins, QC, until the Iqaluit centre reopens in 2024.

Throughout the season, a number of federal government and academic researchers, plus hydrographers, will join CCG ships to carry out new or ongoing scientific projects and hydrographic surveys. CCG will also carry out joint training operations with national and international Arctic partners.

As schedules and opportunities permit, crews will engage in training and equipment familiarization with Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliaries, such as search and rescue and/or environmental response activities. Such opportunities allow crews and communities to build relationships and exchange maritime knowledge with each other.

The Government of Canada is committed to maritime safety, providing essential services to mariners, and ensuring the health and safety of all Canadians. The Canadian Coast Guard’s annual Arctic icebreaking season allows the safe and efficient movement of vessels and goods in northern waters, which is key to community resupply. CCG’s presence in Canada’s North also provides key services, such as search and rescue, support for scientific research, marine communications and traffic services, aids to navigation, and marine environmental response.