Umiak

The umiak, umialak, umiaq, umiac, oomiac, oomiak, ongiuk, or anyak is a type of open skin boat used by both Yupik and Inuit, and was originally found in all coastal areas from Siberia to Greenland. First arising in Thule times, it has traditionally been used in summer to move people and possessions to seasonal hunting grounds and for hunting whales and walrus. Although the umiak was usually propelled by oars (women) or paddles (men), sails--sometimes made from seal intestines--were also used, and in the 20th century, outboard motors.

Size and construction

Like the kayak, the traditional umiak was made from a driftwood or whalebone frame pegged and lashed together, sometimes with antlers or ivory, over which walrus or Bearded seal skins are stretched. Oil, usually from seals would be used to coat and waterproof the seams. A large umiak, 9.1 m (30 ft), would require about seven skins which would be sewn together, stretched over the frame and allowed to dry. Modern versions are essentially identical with the exception of using metal bolts and screws.

Umiak I

Umiak I is a purpose-built ice-strengthened bulk carrier constructed for the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vale Inco, to transport ore from the Voisey's Bay Mine.

According to an article in the April 2006 issue of The Gossan an internal publication of the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company, the Umiak had completed her sea trials in Japan, and her delivery was expected in May 2006. “Umiak is the Inuktitut name for a supply boat or sometimes called a woman’s boat, and is a fitting name for a vessel carrying concentrate from Voisey’s Bay”.

Umiak I makes twelve trips per year, transporting a total of 360,000 tonnes of nickel concentrate, worth $1.5 billion CAD.

Fednav also operates a similar ice-strengthened bulk carrier, Arctic, which shares the load with Umiak I. On 30 October 2012, Fednav announced it had ordered a third icebreaking cargo vessel from Universal Shipbuilding Corporation's Tsu shipyard in Japan. The Polar Class 4 vessel, Nunavik, entered service in January 2014.