Kigoriak

This vessel was was the first commercial icebreaking vessel developed to support offshore oil exploration in the Beaufort Sea. This vessel was an Arctic Class-3 icebreaking anchor handling tug. In a departure from normal procedure this vessel was designed in Vancouver but built (in 8.5 months) in 1979 at Saint John NB by Saint John Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. Ltd. As a tug/supply vessel this vessel was fitted for anchor-handling and deck cargo for service in the Western Arctic and Beaufort Sea. Her steel single chine hull and deep box keel produce good open water sailing. The hull includes a reamer-extruder fitted at the joint of the bow and midbody section to slice a path through the ice about 6' wider than the width of the hull. The spoon-shaped bow is also useful for icebreaking. A Paramount Cascade hull water lubricating system reduces the friction of the broken ice against the hull as it drifts past. The hull is designed to direct the flow of this ice away from the nozzle of the propeller to minimize the clogging effect. Power is produced by two marine diesels through a single controlled pitch propeller contained in a double flared nozzle to produce more thrust. The large propeller is housed behind a skeg. A bow and stern thruster improve manoeuverability. A deck crane, towing and anchor handling winch on the upper deck provide additional capability. Comfortable accomodation for 22 officers and crew and 12 passengers include a large mess and galley, a gymnasium, sauna and lounge.

In 1979 this vessel made a partial transit of the Northwest Passage westward throuh Lancaster Sound, Prince of Wales Strait and the Beaufort Sea. This vessel was broken up in 2022.