A Coast Guard ship that calls Parry Sound home has wrapped up its first ever Arctic mission.
Carol Launderville with Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the Samuel Risley‘s mission had a strong emphasis on Indigenous engagement and marine safety in remote communities.
The first part of the icebreaker’s mission was commanded by Captain John Cork. It saw the Samuel Risley clearing a safe path for ships bringing supplies to the U.S. Air Base in Thule, Greenland.
Then on August 8th, a crew change took place in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. Captain Signe Gotfredsen took over and sailed the Samuel Risley to the Inuit communities of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut in Nunavut; Salluit and Kangiqsujuak in Nunavik northern Quebec; and Base Camp Torngat National Park, Hebron Harbour and Hopedale in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Our objective, when we enter communities, is to be respectful, introduce ourselves, try to learn something of the people and places, and relay information about the Canadian Coast Guard and the work we do in the Arctic during the shipping season,” said Captain Gotfredsen.
“Water safety, ice safety, boating and fishing vessel safety are topics of great interest to both the Canadian Coast Guard and residents of coastal communities. We approached this unique opportunity with a sincere desire to understand these communities and build respectful relationships. This is what made our mission so successful.”
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary team reportedly gave the Samuel Risley “an especially warm welcome” in Salluit. That’s the second most northern Inuit community in Quebec. The team and the ship’s crew did some joint exercises practicing their rescue skills.
Launderville says this first visit to the Arctic by the Samuel Risley is a big step for the Coast Guard delivering on its commitments to boost its presence in the region.
The Samuel Risley is now back in Ontario and is servicing navigational aids on the Great Lakes.