Studying Arctic Climate Change

Our intrepid science and technology correspondent, Daniel Sieberg, stands beside the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Louis S. St-Laurent in Dartmouth harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Sieberg set sail aboard the Louis S. St.-Laurent icebreaker into Canada's Arctic Wednesday, July 4, 2007, on a 20-day journey to learn more about climate change from an impressive gathering of scientists.

The Louis S. St-Laurent is docked in Dartmouth harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Wednesday, July 3, 2007.

The CCGS Teleost in Dartmouth harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Tuesday, July 3, 2007. The bright lights of Halifax are visible in the background.

On The Dock

The Louis S. St-Laurent sits ready to set sail in Dartmouth harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Some of the scientists on the expedition have been traveling to the Arctic for 30 years or more. They will be testing and studying all forms of wildlife and environment, from plankton to whales to ice floes to polar bears.

Gear for the journey is loaded on the Louis S. St-Laurent Wednesday, July 3, 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Sign Of The Times

Everything's ship-shape and ready for departure. The journey will include sailing up through the Davis Strait or "iceberg alley," past Greenland, along parts of the historic Northwest Passage and into Resolute, Nunavut, home to Canada's second northernmost community.

Close Quarters

A bunk on the Louis S. St-Laurent; basic without being uncomfortable.

Portal Peek

The view out the portal of the Louis S. St-Laurent while docked in Dartmouth harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Safety First

Even before leaving the Dartmouth harbor, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, there were several safety drills, from fire to first aid to familiarization with the ship's layout.

Close-Knit Group

Group photo of a safety drill aboard the the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Louis S. St-Laurent in Dartmouth harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Suiting Up

Ready for a close-up after donning an immersion suit.

Cold Comfort

Squeezing into and immersion suit is like sealing your whole body in a yellow astronaut glove, right up to your eyebrows. In an emergency, you're expected to wriggle your way into it in 30-40 seconds. It's all about surviving a dip in the freezing waters of the Arctic.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans photographer Paul Galipeau sports his immersion suit during a safety drill on the Louis S. St-Laurent, Wednesday, July 4, 2007, on Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Members of the expedition get the once-over after donning their immersion suits during a safety drill on the Louis S. St-Laurent Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

Chief scientist John Nelson talks about the expedition before setting sail for the Arctic on the Louis S. St-Laurent Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent sports a decal for the International Polar Year while docked in Dartmouth harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Wednesday, July 4, 2007. The International Polar Year is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009.

Shoving Off

Getting a tug out to sea in Dartmouth harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Scientific Research Ship

A stern-view of the 392-ft. Canadian Coast Guard Ship, the Louis S. St-Laurent. Named after the twelfth Prime Minister of Canada, the vessel is classed a "Heavy Gulf Icebreaker" and is the largest icebreaker and ship in the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet.

A water sampling test is conducted from the deck of the Louis S. St-Laurent Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

Equipment is tested on the Louis S. St-Laurent Wednesday, July 4, 2007.