by Wende Halonen
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Sep 22/97) - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans patrol boat Ivisaaruq (which means "spawning fish") may currently be out of the water for engine repairs, but this is one superlative sea-going vessel.

DFO is in charge of coastal marine patrol for all of Nunavut and the department has only three fisheries officers to do the job: Kim Seto and Ipeelie Itorcheak in Iqaluit and Robert Luke in Rankin Inlet. So having a good patrol boat is essential. The Ivisaaruq, a 26-foot Hourston Glass Craft patrol vessel, can travel at least 483 kilometres on a full tank of gas, with a cruising speed of 20 to 24 knots and a full throttle speed of 30 knots.

The very best in navigational aids are on board the Ivisaaruq. The vessel has a depth sounder which lets you know where the sea bottom is and if there is anything floating underneath you, long- and short-distance radar will tell you what is above the water around you.

It's good for navigation in foggy conditions and at night, a marine compass and GPS which will guide you to where you're going using way points on a display screen. There are four types of communication on board: VHF radio telephone; VHF FM radio telephone; a top-of-the-line, multi-channel HF radio that could reach Japan (from Iqaluit) under perfect weather conditions; and an MSAT telephone.

The Ivisaaruq has hot and cold running water, a gas-alcohol stove (safer than propane), a heater system (a mini-furnace that runs off diesel fuel), first aid kits, neoprene immersion suits (you could actually survive in Arctic waters), spare parts for the boat and it can sleep four people. Self-sufficiency is the key. If this vessel goes down a container holding a covered life raft pops open and inflates. The raft holds six people and contains small rations.

The DFO fisheries officers monitor commercial and domestic fishing, including seal and whale hunting, but they are also there to help the public in any way they can, including providing information and medical assistance. And we're glad they're there.