It was dark, cold, and windy—the kind of conditions you expect in Alert, Nunavut, the northernmost inhabited place on Earth. The snow was blowing sideways, and winds reached 107 km/h as five Greatario crew members held tight to a guide rope, making our way from the building where they were working to the mess hall. It was day 15 of near-total darkness, a reality in this part of the world during winter. But the journey of how they got here—and the work they were doing—was just as remarkable as the setting.
This project officially started in June 2023, with the order confirmed in November 2023. By June 2024, the tank components were being air-shipped, and in early November, the crew began the trip to Alert. The journey itself was an adventure, beginning at CFB Trenton aboard a military Hercules aircraft.
The Hercules is a functional plane—designed for cargo and utility, not comfort. Forty people, including the build team and their equipment, squeezed into the planes’ cold, open cargo bay. After a stop in Iqaluit, it was on to Greenland where the crew stayed overnight. The next morning, they continued on to Alert, flying into the endless Arctic night.
On arrival, they received a warm welcome from the base personnel, settled into their quarters, and began training. From there, it was time to get to work.
The tank was designed to serve the base with fire protection and potable water. Measuring 7.62m (25’) in diameter by 4.925m (16’) tall.
Construction presented unique challenges. Built entirely indoors, the tank had to be assembled by hand using scaffolding, with no heavy lifting equipment (except muscle!) available. Every piece was carefully placed, secured, and checked against the plans.
By the time the tank was filled with water, it stood ready to meet the needs of the base—reliable, durable, and built to withstand the extreme environment. This tank is a quiet testament to careful planning, teamwork, and perseverance.
Working in Alert wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. This project demonstrated what’s possible, even in the most remote and challenging conditions.
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