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IQALUIT - This was a record year for Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping (NEAS).

Despite poor weather and ice conditions, the Montreal-based shipping company made more scheduled stops for communities in the Eastern Arctic in 2008 than in any previous year, making 86 stops at various communities over 11 sailings, said David Ell, the company's marketing director.

David Ell, marketing director for Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping in Iqaluit, said the company achieved a record number of stops this year. - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

Last year, the company made 64 stops over 10 sailings, meaning this year's record marks a 34 per cent increase over last year.

The increase was due to the fact the NEAS began providing service this year to the Kivalliq region, said Ell.

"Iqaluit was the beneficiary of a record seven stops this year, and it could have been more had Mother Nature not reared her ugly head, he added.

"Our last sailing was scheduled to come in on Nov. 10 but due to the ice conditions on our beach, we weren't able to offload the ship," said Ell.

That also proved the case earlier in the year.

"In the early part of the season, the ice conditions were really bad in Iqaluit," said Ell. "The bay here outside Iqaluit had a lot of ice patches. On the first sailing, we had to wait for the Coast Guard to bring us in after they broke up the ice."

Wind also caused some delays elsewhere, said Ell.

"Arviat was one where we were there for three or four days because the wind prevented us from offloading."

The company's overall success this year was bolstered by the construction of a new tug boat, the MV Qimu, which served the Kivalliq region, primarily Baker Lake. That community - where Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. is currently building its Meadowbank gold mine, slated to begin commercial production in March 2010 - was one of the most frequently served this year, he said.

The company also used a boat purchased last year for the first time, the MV Qamutik. It served Northern Quebec, Baffin Island and the Kivalliq region.

Twelve students from communities like Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake and Arviat completed a six-week training course in Nova Scotia in June. After the course, some of the successful graduates began work as deck hands for NEAS.

Ell said he hopes to get another run of the course going this April.

"Two of our deck hands are now able seamen," said Ell. "They can now work on the bridge."