This summer I had the great pleasure to sail as assistant ice navigator to Martech Polar’s Captain Duke Snider onboard the MSV Nordica, as she conducted a repositioning transit from Vancouver to Nuuk, experiencing the earliest transit ever of the NWP. Along with a great collection of maritime expertise (Cdn Coast Guard and US Coast Guard reps embarked also), we enjoyed the company and spirited debate of a dozen researchers and socials scientists from Scandinavian and Australian universities and research institutes. Nordica demonstrated both the professionalism of the Arctia crew and the significant capabilities of the ship in traversing heavy ice in Victoria Strait.
After a brief respite in Victoria, I was back to Nuuk to join the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long (“Snow Dragon”), as she completed her circumpolar voyage with her first ever transit of the Canadian Arctic. Ice conditions remained heavy in Victoria-Larsen, with this year being the 4th heaviest ice year in the last 10 years.
About the Author: Nigel Greenwood
Nigel Greenwood completed a 37-year naval career as the Commander of Canada’s Pacific naval forces. In this role he was responsible for: defence of Canada’s western maritime approaches; generation of ready forces for deployment to international maritime operations; Search and Rescue in the Pacific Northwest and over the landmass of BC and the Yukon; assistance to civil authorities for domestic emergencies and law enforcement; and maintenance of Canada’s maritime defence relations in the Pacific.
