Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
The 14-metre vessel went down on Aug. 25, 2000, 16 kilometres southeast of Arviat.
Capt. Louis Pilakapsi and crew members Larry Ussak, Sandy Sateana and David Kudjuk lost their lives in the tragedy.
Shawn Maley, a director for the Kivalliq region of the Department of Community Government and Transportation, says Eric Doig of Nunavut Emergency Management is co-ordinating the effort.
He says the vessel's location will be identified, but the boat will not be raised.
"An underwater expert from Ontario has been contracted who uses high technology equipment," says Maley.
"The attempt to locate the Avataq will probably cost $25,000 to $30,000."
Evo Airut has been contracted to provide the vessel for the search, and was to have set sail from Rankin Inlet this past Saturday.
Four search-and-rescue members joined the team in Arviat. The search was slated to begin yesterday.
The crew is using a Shark Marine remotely operated vehicle (ROV), an underwater side-scanner and magnetometer known as a
The magnetometer looks for magnetic fluctuations from objects not normally found on the ocean floor.
The ROV weighs 42 kilograms and can head into an eight-knot head current and hold its position. It can dive to 3,281 metres and is operated by a remote control from the boat with a video camera.
The side-scanning sonar equipment produces photo-quality images and can detect underwater objects when visibility is limited.
Maley says there are two main reasons behind the attempt to locate the Avataq.
"We've discussed this with the families and they want to bring some closure to this tragedy. We could also, in a sense, term it a training exercise because if this equipment works out, we're looking at purchasing it," he says.
"If that proves to be the case, it's also an opportunity to familiarize our guys on its operation."
