Students on Ice: Canadian Coast Guard to the rescue

On Friday, already 48 hours delayed, our trip was in serious jeopardy as the ice continued to pack into Frobisher Bay making any attempt for us to get to the ship impossible. Good news arrived when we received word that the Canadian Coast Guard had received authorization to take all of our passengers aboard their ship and transport us to our vessel.

Alex Taylor celebrates the team’s successful boarding of the CCGS Des Groseilliers

The logistics of transporting 116 people + luggage to the Coast Guard vessel were astounding. Our transfer began in waves, starting at 7PM with high-tide as the first of our passengers donned survival suits and boarded one of two barges which slowly made their way through the massive field of ice. 3 hours later, once we were all safely aboard the Des Groseilliers, the vessel finally began the voyage to our ship. It was after 11PM when we were close enough to our ship to board zodiacs to take us the final leg of the journey to our floating home.  Finally at 12:30a.m. we were all safe on board and were finally able to settle in for the week ahead.
It was only the next day when many of us could process the magnitude of this endeavor. Without the generous assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard we may never have reached our ship in time to go on this expedition. The Des Groseilliers, and their fantastic ship, captain and crew also stayed with us the next day clearing a path through the ice so we could safely exit Frobisher Bay.

CCGS Des Groseilliers

While the ice posed a logistical problem for us, it made me realize the impact that it could have on Iqaluit and other northern communities. Cargo ships only have a short window of time each year to deliver supplies to these communities. Whether it be groceries, appliances, cars, or general supplies, these items are prohibitively expensive to fly in, and necessities are often shipped in to cover the entirety of the year ahead. The cargo liner waiting out the ice in the harbor with our ship was one such vessel, laden with cargo destined for people who have been waiting months or even a year for these supplies. While we haven’t heard if the ice did retreat from Frobisher, we know how lucky we were that the Coast Guard went above and beyond the call of duty and came to our assistance to help us get this voyage started!