The Joint Western Arctic Climate Study 2008 is a continuation of multinational, multidisciplinary arctic climate impact study that involves ships and personnel from three nations, Canada, Japan and United States. During this year’s program the primary research platform is the Japanese ship  R/V Mirai.  This program carries on from International Polar Year studies commenced in 2007 in which research vessels from Canada, United States and Russia also conducted science programs in the Western Arctic.

Martech Polar and Tony O’Connell are providing Ice Pilotage services onboard R/V Mirai during her operations in the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Eastern Siberian Sea and Beaufort Sea over the six week operational period in September and October 2008.