ST. JOHN’S, NL – Ships and crews of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet return to the North this summer for another busy season in the Canadian Arctic.
“The Canadian Coast Guard has a long history of service in our Arctic region,” said Minister Ashfield. “It is particularly significant on the 50th anniversary of the Coast Guard that we commend and celebrate the continued dedication of the crews who take on this northern adventure each year.”
“Our government is committed to protecting sovereignty and sustaining Canada’s north. The Coast Guard plays vital role in our Northern Strategy. Its fleet and skilled personnel are instrumental in our government’s successful arctic missions.”
The CCGS Terry Fox departed St. John’s on June 25, the CCGS Henry Larsen on June 27 and the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is scheduled to sail from St. John’s on July 20, 2012.
All three ships will carry out icebreaking and vessel escort duties in the Arctic this summer as well as science and resupply missions to northern communities and remote stations.
The CCGS Terry Fox will resupply the Eureka Weather Station and the community of Kugaaruk, Nunavut, and conduct an environmental response exercise near Iqaluit using a single vessel side sweep system for oil spill response. The CCGS Terry Fox will return to St. John‘s in October.
The CCGS Henry Larsen will be involved in a number of science missions, including in the Nares Strait where scientists are studying the flow of seawater across the Arctic. The crew will also participate with the Canadian and United States navies in Operation Nanook, a search and rescue exercise in Igloolik before returning to St. John’s in October.
In July, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will transit to Resolute Bay and through the Northwest Passage to the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Science research will be conducted along the way, including the Canada Three Oceans Program that studies the interconnectedness of Canada’s three great oceans and the Joint Oceans Ice Study. The CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will return to St. John’s in November.
The CCGS Des Groseilliers, CCGS Pierre Radisson and the CCGS Wilfrid Laurier will also carry out missions in the North this summer.
Ships and crews of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet return to the Arctic this summer for a busy season in Canada’s North. The CCGS Terry Fox departed St. John’s on June 25, the CCGS Henry Larsen on June 27 and the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is scheduled to sail from St. John’s on July 20, 2012. The CCGS Des Groseilliers, CCGS Pierre Radisson and the CCGS Wilfrid Laurier will also carry out missions in the North this summer.
“The Canadian Coast Guard has a long history of service in our Arctic region,” said Minister Ashfield. “It is particularly significant on the 50th anniversary of the Coast Guard that we commend and celebrate the continued dedication of the crews who take on this northern adventure each year.”
-30-
Sam Whiffen
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
NR-NL-12-03E
