YELLOWKNIFE - The Canadian Coast Guard Ship DUMIT was late getting into the water this year, and the coast guard wants boaters to take extra caution while they replace the Mackenzie River's navigational buoys.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship DUMIT, which is currently awaiting its final inspection before heading up the Mackenzie River to replace all the navigational buoys, a little later than usual this year. - photo courtesy of the Canadian Coast Guard

Sam Babisky, superintendent of regional operation for the coast guard, said that the ship's water tanks had aging paint on them, and needed to be recovered. The hull was also in need of a new coat, and the cold start to the summer made it extremely difficult to finish the task in a timely manner.

The paint, which protects the metals from debris and rust causing oxidants, is considered a safety aspect of the ship, and new safety standards had also come into place since the ship's last paint job.

The CCGS DUMIT has the task of replacing buoys along the Mackenzie River and in Great Slave Lake after the ice is off the water. The buoys are used to mark the portions of waterways which are navigable to larger vessels, and also to mark the entrances to bays and inlets which have harbours and ports. They are mostly removed from the lake in the fall to prevent them from being damaged by the ice during the winter. The buoys are then replaced in the spring, and adjustments made to their positions to accommodate for natural changes.

"The Mackenzie is notorious for it's shifting sands," said Babisky.

On Thursday afternoon, Babisky said that the DUMIT was in the water, already loaded with buoys and simply waiting for its final inspection before taking off down the Mackenzie. he estimated it would be on its way within a couple of days. The Canadian Coast Guard has announced that the ship's priority will be placing the buoys in Beaver Lake, Providence Rapid, Mill Lake and the entrance to the Mackenzie River. Babisky says these areas are high traffic areas which are used by most of the commercial vessels servicing the territory.

They expect to be in the Yellowknife area of Great Slave Lake in approximately two weeks.

While the DUMIT is placing buoys, the CCG recommends that boaters use other reliable navigational tools in areas that are not yet properly marked.

Tools such as GPS (Global Positioning System), radar, day ranges and up-to-date navigational charts should be used whenever possible. Updates to the position and status of the DUMIT will be given via NOTSHIP broadcasts on VHF radio, and CCG also recommends that mariners monitor these broadcasts for information relevant to their courses.