Arctic cruises need more information - report

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is calling on the coast guard to release more information to those plying Arctic waters.

The board released its report on the 2010 grounding of a cruise ship in the Coronation Gulf that runs between Victoria Island and mainland Nunavut.

The Clipper Adventurer was on its way from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and nearing its destination of Kugluktuk when it ran onto a shoal.

No one was injured.

The shallow obstacle was not marked on any navigational charts, but was known to the Canadian Coast Guard since 2007.

Eric Asselin is the investigator in charge with the Transportation Safety Board.

He says important safety information was not given to ships travelling through the Arctic.

"One of the safety issues we did address with the Canadian Coast Guard, for vessels coming into the Arctic water, they should be provided with information." he said.

Asselin said there were problems with the way the ship planned its voyage.

The board has made reccomendations to prevent a similar accident.

Starting in June, the Coast Guard will provide additional safety information to all vessels entering the Arctic.

The incident led to a federal court lawsuit that was filed in July, 2011.

The company is suing the Government of Canada for failing to provide up to date information on the depth of water in the area.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Coast Guard claims it did warn of the hazard.

Media relations manager Frank Stanek says, "the safety information was broadcast and available to the masters of the ships traveling in the Canadian Arctic in a number of formats including a Notice to Shipping."

Stanek goes on to say the Coast Guard continues its review of the board's report.