Rankin Inlet (July 02/03) - It's a time of year that communities look forward to, the arrival of the sealift from Montreal.

Leaving port on June 24 the barge will make its way to the Baffin region before carrying on into the Kivalliq.

The ship is hauling 20,000 cubic metres of cargo to the Kivalliq.

The freight will be used to stock stores, assist with construction projects, including the new health centre in Rankin Inlet, and make people's lives a little bit easier.

The first stop in the Kivalliq will be made by the Anna Desgagnes in Arviat on July 23.

On July 25 the barge will lift anchor and head to Whale Cove, arriving the next day.

Stop number three will be Rankin Inlet on July 28, followed by Chesterfield Inlet, and Coral harbour, July 31 and August 3 respectively.

Baker Lake will receive its first shipment on July 24.

Another boat, the Cecilia Desgagnes, will arrive in Repulse Bay on August 23.

New companies are handling the sealift this year -- Desgagnes Transarctik Inc. and Nunavut Sealink and Supply (NSSI) Inc. out of Ste-Catharine, Quebec.

New management means things are being done a little differently.

Some communities can expect two and three shipments instead of the standard one.

Arviat is one community that will harbour three barges this year. The second will arrive on September 4 and the third on October 16.

Rankin will also receive three shipments.

The second on September 2 and the third on October 10.

Whale Cove's second and last shipment will arrive on October 14.

Coral's second and final shipment will dock on October 25.

Baker Lake will also receive a second shipment on September 5.

Finally, Chester's last arrival will be on October 12.

For information on arrivals and departures you can go on-line at www.arcticsealift.com.