CCGS Amundsen, CA

Amundsen Science is the nonprofit organization responsible for the scientific mandate of the research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Primarily funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) through Université Laval where it is hosted, Amundsen Science coordinates the deployment of the icebreaker for science in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard, maintains the ship’s pool of scientific innovative equipment, and provides financial, technical and logistical support to user programs.

Contact

AlexandreForest,Executive Director: alexandre.forest[at]as.ulaval.ca
AnissaMerzouk,marine research Coordinator: anissa.merzouk[at]as.ulaval.ca

Location

CCGSAmundsen homeport: Quebec City. Amundsen Sciencehost institution: Université Laval, Quebec City.Â

Website

https://amundsenscience.com/about-us/

Facilities

The 98-m long Canadian Coast Guard ShipAmundsen is Canada’s only dedicated research icebreaker. The ship was mobilized for science in 2003 and further equipped through diverse infrastructure grants and partnerships over the last 20 years. It is accessible to Canadian academics, their research partners from governments, the private sector, and other countries, as well as indigenous researchers and organizations. Over the years, theAmundsen has basically become the most capable, well-equipped, reliable, accessible, and widely used oceanographic vessel in Canada. The scientific mandate of theAmundsen is under the responsibility of Amundsen Science, a non-profit organization funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, hosted at Université Laval in Quebec City. Amundsen Science operates the icebreaker for Arctic research expeditions every summer through an agreement between the Canadian Coast Guard and Université Laval. Amundsen Science has a team of 24 managers, coordinators, engineers, and sea-going technicians, who work in synergy with researchers and experts to maintain Canada at the leading edge of Arctic and oceanographic research. 

Staff Capacity: Technicians+scientists:39 scientists (+41 Canadian Coast Guard Crew). 
The ship is fully self-sufficient while at sea (water, waste management, electricity, bathrooms, laundry, etc.). Cabins are in double occupancy, meals are prepared and provided by the CG’s cook and their staff. 
Equipments: In addition to the ship itself and the navigational expertise of its personnel, the vessel includes a comprehensive pool of 85 instrumentation systems valued at over $50 million that supports the needs of multidisciplinary research of all kinds. 
Communications:Internet access (Starlink), satellite and Iridium phones, Intranet.
Science disciplines: The scientific versatility of theAmundsen facilitates physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, paleo-oceanography, marine geology and geophysics, marine ecology, atmospheric and ocean color sciences, as well as epidemiology and human health research.Â

Availability for access

Time frame for access preparation

December to May, and throughout the annual field season (June to October). 

Permits, licenses and training

Research permits are required in many areas of the North to conduct ship-based and shore-based scientific activities during the annual expedition. Thepreparation and submission of research permit applications is centralized at Amundsen Science for all user programs and research teams.
Below is a list of research permits secured by Amundsen Science for activities conducted during the annual expeditions. Depending on the itinerary and types of research activities planned in a given year, additional permits may be obtained for other areas (e.g. American waters, Parks Canada Newfoundland Region). The application process is time sensitive to ensure all the required permits are granted in advance of the departure for the expedition and arrival on the site(s). 

Québec (including Nunavik)
– Nunavik Marine Region
–MPO Permis de pêche scientifique
–Parcs Canada Parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent

Newfoundland and Labrador (including Nunatsiavut)
–DFO Experimental License for Waters of the Region of Newfoundland and Labrador
–Approval to Conduct Science Activities in Marine Refuges
–Nunatsiavut Government Approval Letter

Arctic Region
–DFO License to Fish for Scientific Purposes in the Central/Arctic Region
–Marine protected Area

Nunavut
–Nunavut Planning Commission Conformity Letter
–Nunavut Research Institute Scientific Research License
–Parks Canada Multi-Year Research Permit
–Canadian Wildlife Service – Access to Migratory Birds Sanctuaries and National Wildlife Areas

Northwest Territories
–Environmental Impact Screening Committee Approval
–Aurora Research Institute Scientific Research Licence

Greenland
–Government of Greenland Survey License
–Vessel Diplomatic Clearance

Certifications and trainings pertaining to the ship’s safety and emergency procedures, as well as safety procedures during science operations are mandatory for all personnel boarding the ship. Thesetrainings are provided onboard the ship by the Coast Guard crew and/or Amundsen Science staff. Health and safety procedures are available in the Canadian Coast Guard’s Fleet Safety Manual and Amundsen Science’s Health and Safety Manual on the ship and on our website.
For some activities, additionaltraining and certifications need to be obtained before the expedition. Boarding of the helicopter for scientific purposes requires thehelicopter underwater egress training (HUET). 
Piloting an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone)requires a series of trainings and certifications, which need to be completed and provided to Amundsen Science and the Coast Guard well in advance of boarding the ship. 
Hazardous Materials, including radioisotopes and compressed gases, are routinely used onboard the Amundsen. Safety is the first priority in all aspects of storage, handling and disposal of Hazardous Materials on the ship. Handling of hazardous materials requires aWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMS) certification or equivalent, which science personnel can obtain through their home institutions. Guides for use of Hazardous Materials and Radioisotopes onboard the CCGS Amundsen based on National Standards (WHMIS, Nuclear Commission) are distributed and made available online for expedition participants. These guides are mandatory reading for all seagoing scientific personnel who must also have the required training and certifications. 
All participants are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct detailing expected professionalism and acceptable behaviors during the scientific expedition. Participants are required tosign an acknowledgement form regarding the Code of Conduct.ÂÂ

Medical guidelines

TheCCG Familiarization Guideincludes aStatement of Medical Fitness form, which all participants must complete and sign. A health assessment by a medical professional and proof of medical fitness is necessary only under certain conditions, which are outlined in the form. The ship’s Medical Officer also conducts health interviews with science personnel at the start of each Leg of the expedition.Â