Avataq

NEAS (Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping) provides essential marine transport of goods to remote Arctic communities across the Canadian Arctic and operating in these regions means Avataq and its crew handle some of the most extreme marine conditions on the planet. The journey began from Avataq’s home port in Quebec City to isolated areas in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec including Kangiqsualujjuaq and Kuujjuaq. Ships like Avataq are lifelines to people in the north, bringing everything they need from food and drink to heavy equipment and construction materials. The remote towns are often impossible for larger ships like the Avataq to dock at, with narrow passages and shallow water preventing them from getting too close to shore, so Avataq brings its own tugs and barge system, allowing them to crane materials onto the barge and bring them to beaches for offload. Schedules are dictated by the tide; loading the barge and heading for shore when it’s high and working non-stop through the night until barges are offloaded. Lots of great memories on this mission; narrowly avoiding rogue icebergs, the worst mosquitos I’ve ever seen, shooting for days and nights in pouring rain, broken down tugs and bad weather, but most of all remembering the people waiting on the beach for their supplies, seeing the smiling faces, happy to know that their goods arrived.

Tech Specs

Ship Type:  General Cargo Ship
Gross Tonnage: 6037 tons
Summer Deadweight:  9588 tons
Length:  370 ft
Beam:  62.3 ft
Year Built: 1989