Sail North West Passage?Now you'll need Permission
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| 'Babouche transiting the North West Passage in summer 2007' . |
However, you will have to register with the Canadian Coast Guard in order to obtain permission, which, until an announcement by the Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper this week, was optional.
In making this announcement, Prime Minister Steven Harper has moved to firm up Canadian control of Arctic waters.
Speaking in Tuktoyaktuk, on the western gate of the Northwest Passage, Harper says all ships sailing into Arctic waters that Canada claims for its own will be required to register with the Canadian Coast Guard.
Making this registration mandatory has long been recommended by Arctic experts.
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Canadian Coast Guard ice-breaker patrolling the North West Passage summer 2008 - .. . |
Harper also announced that environmental legislation protecting Arctic waters will be extended to 370 kilometres from the coastline.
Arctic sovereignty is expected to become a major issue during an anticipated Canadian fall election.
by Canadian Press/Sail-World
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