The Canadian Coast Guard’s largest dedicated science vessel was lowered into the water for the first time in Vancouver Saturday.
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is a floating laboratory that can accommodate up to 34 crew and 26 scientists, and will be stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, N.S.
The ship was named after a respected Inuk Elder from Kangiqsujuaq, Nunavik, a village of 800 along the northernmost tip of Quebec.
“Mr. Nappaaluk was a renowned leader, harvester, teacher, consultant, navigator, astronomer, and meteorologist,” the Coast Guard said.
“As a knowledge keeper, he was committed to protecting and promoting Inuit language and culture and did so his entire life by teaching others how to survive and thrive in his Arctic homeland.”
The name was chosen in consultation with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, non-profit organization founded in 1971 that represents 70,000 Inuit people in Canada.
“Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is proud to have participated in the naming of a Canadian Coast Guard research vessel for the first time,” said Natan Obed, president of the organization.
“It is especially fitting that Inuit Treaty Organizations chose the name of an Inuk Elder who, over his lifetime, imparted so much knowledge to Inuit and Canadians. We are grateful to the family of Naalak Nappaaluk for permitting this state-of-the-art science vessel to carry his name.”
Obed says the non-profit hopes the ship will help foster Inuit self-determination in research and protect marine resources.
The Coast Guard says the ship has a marine mammal observation station, an ocean sampling room, multiple labs, and state-of-the-art equipment for collecting and analyzing data.
The ship is expected to be delivered to the Coast Guard in 2025, with a total cost of $1.47 billion.