The Arctic shipping season is presently limited due in part to the presence of sea ice. The summer (June through early November) is the only timeframe in which Arctic commercial shipping is viable as sea ice during this period melts to a point which allows safe navigation. As marine technologies continue to improve e.g. double-acting ships and environmental factors in the form of sea ice decline continue, the Arctic shipping season will likely lengthen. Currently, the Canadian Coast Guard’s annual summer icebreaking program provides an essential navigation component to Arctic commercial shipping.
CCGS Amundsen - used as a research platform for the International Polar Year (2007-08) Photo Credit: Environment Canada
With the assistance of Canadian Ice Services, the Canadian Coast Guard primarily utilizes six icebreakers for its summer icebreaking program. The program provides services which range from shipping assistance, search-and-rescue, cargo delivery to isolated communities, sovereignty patrol, and scientific studies. Below are some highlights of the 2008 operations undertaken by various Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers:
CCGS Pierre Radisson
Assisted with Canadian Arctic military exercise Operation Nanook (eastern Canadian Arctic)
CCGS Sir Wilfred Laurier
Provided research support to uncover further evidence of the legendary Franklin expedition (central Canadian Arctic)
CCGS Louis St. Laurent
Participated in the UNCLOS seabed mapping exercise in the environs of the Beaufort Sea to help move forward continental shelf claims (western Canadian Arctic)
During the winter months the Canadian Coast Guard utilizes its icebreakers involved with their summer program for icebreaking services across the Canadian east coast. Winter icebreaking services range from clearing shipping lanes to aids to navigation.
