MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard Cutter Maple completes historic voyage through Northwest Passage

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/28/2017 02:33 PM EDT

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News Release

  

August 28, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (410) 576-2541
 After Hours: (410) 576-2541

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard Cutter Maple completes historic voyage through Northwest Passage

The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maple follows the crew of Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Terry Fox through the icy waters of Franklin Strait, in Nunavut Canada, August 11, 2017. The Canadian Coast Guard assisted Maple's crew by breaking and helping navigate through ice during several days of Maple's 2017 Northwest Passage transit. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nate Littlejohn.

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

JUNEAU, Alaska – The command of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple is scheduled to discuss their recent voyage from Sitka, Alaska, through the Northwest Passage, to Baltimore, Maryland, 1 p.m. (EST) Wednesday at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender, completed their historic voyage through the Northwest Passage and has arrived at Coast Guard Yard.

This summer marks the 60th anniversary of three Coast Guard cutters and one Canadian ship that convoyed through the Northwest Passage, which are several passageways through the complex archipelago of the Canadian Arctic. From May to September of 1957 the crews of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Storis, SPAR and Bramble, along with the crew of the Canadian ice breaker HMCS Labrador, charted, recorded water depths and installed aids to navigation for future shipping lanes.

 

The Maple will now undergo scheduled maintenance in dry dock at the Coast Guard Yard for repairs and upgrades. The Maple’s crew will return to Sitka to take command of the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, which was previously homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is currently completing a mid-life renovation at the Yard.

 

The cutter’s command will be available for interviews to discuss the Northwest Passage voyage and their primary mission along the way to support oceanographic science research in the Arctic. A U.S. Coast Guard Arctic strategy expert from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. will also be available to field questions.

 

WHAT: Coast Guard Cutter Maple media availability

 

WHO: Coast Guard Cutter Maple command and Cmdr. Scott Hale, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic policy advisor.

 

WHERE: Coast Guard Yard- 2401 Hawkins Point Rd., Baltimore, Maryland

 

WHY: To discuss Cutter Maple’s Northwest Passage transit from Alaska, through the Arctic to Baltimore.

 

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1 p.m. (EST)

 

Editor’s note: Media planning to attend should RSVP by calling 410-576-2541.

 

A driver’s license and proof of insurance will be required for drivers and a photo ID will be required for passengers to enter Coast Guard Yard.

 

Video and imagery of the Northwest Passage voyage is available on www.DVIDShub.net.

 

-USCG-