The research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen
Prof leads Atlantic Ocean research expedition
David Barber, Canada Research Chair in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, will be the chief scientist aboard the CCGS Amundsen during an 18-day expedition.
This research expedition was announced on April 13 in St John’s, NFLD. Partners include ArcticNet, a Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada, Statoil Canada, the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) and Husky Energy. They are developing a new research and technology program on board the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen.
The collaboration will bring together the best expertise in academia and industry to collect scientific data and execute full-scale field testing of key technologies that are critical to understanding offshore and harsh weather environments. With a key focus on performing a safe expedition, this unique project will help improve safety practices related to ice hazard mitigation and provide insight on technology requirements specific to cold ocean regions.
From 17 April to 4 May, a team of 40 Canadian and international scientists and technical staff from ArcticNet, Statoil, and partner organizations as well as local Newfoundland and Labrador researchers, will study meteorological, sea ice, iceberg and environmental conditions and assess new data collection technologies in the study area northeast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Barber, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Manitoba who is also a member of ArcticNet, will be chief scientist on board the Amundsen during the 18-day expedition.
This is not the first time Barber has been in charge of the research teams aboard the Amundsen: In 2007 he led the largest International Polar Year project – the Circumpolar Flaw Lead System study, which involved over 300 scientists from around the world and marked the first time a research vessel overwintered in a flaw lead in the Arctic.
Related
Meet some of David Barber’s graduate students, Wieter Boone and Krista Kenyon.
Tour the CCGS Amundsen
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation provides a multimedia exploration of Canada’s dedicated research icebreaker.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.