The Canadian Coast Guard announced it has started its 2017 Arctic operational season during which seven Canadian ice breakers are set to deploy.
The Coast Guard said it is expanding its Arctic season in 2017-2018 and will continue to gradually increase its presence over the next several years.
Icebreakers will be supporting ocean science, management, and maritime security and protecting the marine environment throughout the Arctic.
CCGS Amundsen departed from Quebec City on May 25 and is providing icebreaking support in Eastern Canada before embarking on scientific programming.
After the 2017 Hudson Bay System Study (BaySys) was canceled due to climate change, scientists and experts on board CCGS Amundsen will be carrying out the “Nunavik Inuit Health Survey’ visiting seven (7) coastal communities in Nunavik.
CCGS Des Groseilliers and CCGS Terry Fox got underway on June 18 and 19 while CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, CCGS Henry Larsen, CCGS Pierre Radisson and CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will deploy from July to August.