IQALUIT - One man is dead following a tragic boating accident in Iqaluit this past Friday, Nov. 5.

RCMP say former NTI president Paul Kaludjak was piloting the boat during an accident that killed Seeglook Akeeagok. - NNSL file photo

Darkness descended as former Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Paul Kaludjak of Rankin Inlet was piloting his 27-foot aluminum boat back to Iqaluit with his son, Daniel, and conservation official Seeglook Akeeagok, 55, originally from Grise Fiord, on-board with him.

The vessel ran into a permanent marker buoy as they navigated the bay while approaching the community.

The impact claimed the life of Akeeagok.

Paul received injuries to his leg and back, while Daniel received lacerations.

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jimmy Akavak said the death has been ruled accidental.

Akavak said Akeeagok was a longtime wildlife officer who had been in the regional management side of operations dealing with conservation issues in recent years.

He said Akeeagok was positioned to the left of Kaludjak at the time of impact.

"Their vision was obscured due to the darkness, and the combination of that with the speed the boat was travelling resulted in them striking one of the permanent buoys in the bay," said Akavak.

"Those permanent buoys are quite large, being about 10-feet long and about five-feet in diameter.

"His (Akeeagok's) upper torso made first contact with the wind shield, from what we can gather, at the time of impact. Death was probably instantaneous."

Akavak said Daniel was able to pilot the boat into the harbour and Akeeagok was removed and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Daniel and Paul were both treated in Iqaluit for their injuries.

"This is something that will live with Paul (Kaludjak) forever," said Akavak.

"If the family requests any further investigation, it would come from Transport Canada and the Coast Guard, who look after these buoys.

"For our role, this was a tragic, accidental death.

"We looked into the incident to make sure there was no foul play, drugs or alcohol involved and we ruled all that out."

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