Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 05/99) - When she was built in 1969, the Louis S. St. Laurent was to be the Canadian Coast Guard's biggest and best escort for boats plying northern waters.

During a major refit in the early 1990s the icebreaker was adapted to a new role as a platform for research.

"The propulsion system was completely changed, from steam turbine electric to diesel," noted Capt. John Broderick. "That greatly increased the ship's range."

"The modern power plant requires a smaller crew, which allows more room for scientists and research equipment," said Capt. Rene Turenne, who relieved Capt. Broderick for the trip through the Arctic Islands.

Before the power plant switch, 140 people crewed on the boat. Today there is a core crew of 40.

The Louis S. St. Laurent has 55 berths for scientists. There are both permanent labs and ones housed in containers attached to the deck.

Still, the vessel has the power to perform the job it was originally designed for. With its new power plant and bow plating up to five centimetres thick, the ship is capable of breaking through ice up to a metre and a half thick, said Capt. Broderick.

Though the research is just beginning, the vessel already has a lot of nautical miles under its keel this journey. It sailed from Canada to Sweden to pick up the scientists and stopped at Nuuk, Greenland on the way back to Canada.

"The most interesting thing about the voyage from Sweden to Nuuk was we had two teenagers, 12 and 13 years old, on board," recalled Capt. Broderick.

"They forced us to look at our work through their eyes. I don't know if they slept during the entire voyage."

The two teenagers were part of a Swedish television show documenting that leg of the journey.