St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 13, 2023 – The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen leaves the port of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to begin its annual scientific expedition. A few days after celebrating 20 years dedicated to science, the Canadian research icebreaker made a transit from Quebec City to St. John’s, where she will dock for a short scientific mobilization. This Thursday, July 13, at around 6PM local time, the ship will begin its transit towards the Labrador Sea and the Arctic.
This year’s scientific expedition of the CCGS Amundsen will last 111 days at sea and will comprise four
Legs. Each Leg will welcome around 40 scientists on board. The scientists of the 2023 cohort are part
of nine multidisciplinary research programs and will study Arctic and sub-Arctic marine ecosystems
through a variety of activities and integrated studies targeting physical, chemical and biological
environments, as well as seabed geology.
During the first Leg of the expedition, the Amundsen will sail along the coast of the Labrador Sea,
Baffin Bay and Baffin Island. On board, scientists, the Amundsen Science technical team and the
Canadian Coast Guard crew will carry out ROV dives and mooring operations. In collaboration with
local Nunatsiavut knowledge, these various operations will allow us to study and monitor vulnerable
coastal areas, and learn more about the fish communities and marine primary producers in these
regions. In addition, the Amundsen‘s scientific teams and crew will visit Nain on July 19 for a
networking event between Amundsen crews and Nain residents, science and local culture. Several
activities are organized on board and in the town throughout the day.
