Extending the Life of the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet

February 2013

Economic Action Plan 2012 provided unprecedented new funding for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Fleet Renewal Plan. Part of this investment supports the refit of 16 large vessels and the upgrade of 2 hovercrafts over the next 10 years, which will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to continue to maintain its level of service for years to come. This investment in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet supports the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, led by Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Vessel life extensions and mid-life modernizations 

  • Vessel life extensions typically involve repairs to improve vessel reliability and extend their operational life.
     
  • Coast Guard proceeds with mid-life modernizations to keep a vessel in service for its full operational life and to maintain its reliability and efficiency. The Canadian Coast Guard will also conduct mid-life modernizations on 2 hovercrafts.

The vessel life extensions and mid-life modernizations will extend the life of a number of vessels and vessel types, including:

Medium Icebreakers (4):

  • 4 Medium Icebreakers will undergo refit, including: CCGS Pierre Radisson, CCGS Amundsen, CCGS Des Groseillers, and CCGS Henry Larsen
  • These are sizable icebreakers (approx.100 metres in length) capable of sustained  icebreaking and escort operations in the Arctic archipelago for  2 seasons per year, and in the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence seaway and Atlantic Coast in winter
  • Accommodates cargo such as Coast Guard helicopters and multiple utility craft
  • Used in a wide variety of Government of Canada programs and scientific missions
CCGS Amundsen CCGS Amundsen

High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel (6):

  • 6 High Endurance Multi-Tasked vessels will undergo refit, including: CCGS E. Cornwallis, CCGS Martha L. Black, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, CCGS Ann Harvey, CCGS G.R. Pearkes, and CCGS SW Alexander
  • These are large, highly adaptable multi-tasked vessels (approx. 85 metres in length) with capacities for icebreaking in the south and western Arctic and, for escort operations in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and Atlantic coast
  • Features a crane, a large cargo hold, deck capacity and a helicopter hangar
  • Able to launch and recover rigid-hull inflatable boats and two types of utility craft
  • Used in a wide variety of Government of Canada programs
CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier

Medium Endurance Multi-tasked Vessel (1):

  • One Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked vessel will undergo refit: the CCGS Earl Grey
  • This is a large versatile vessel with heavy lift capacity, able to deliver programs and services in areas that are difficult to access, such as harbours and river passages
  • Used primarily for aids to navigation, icebreaking, Search and Rescue, environmental response, and science
CCGS Earl Grey CCGS Earl Grey

Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (1):

  • One Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel will undergo refit: the CCGS John P. Tully
  • This is a large, multi-tasked offshore noise-reduced vessel, capable of extended missions of four to six weeks with a 10,000 NM range
  • Capable of operating in ice-infested waters
  • Equipped with wet labs, capabilities for bottom-sampling and water column sampling
  • Able to accommodate a helicopter with minimal hangar capabilities
  • Primarily used for ecosystem and fishery science, oceanographic missions and geological and hydrographic surveys
CCGS John P Tully CCGS John P. Tully

Offshore Patrol Vessel (2):

  • 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels will undergo refit: CCGS Cygnus and CCGS L.J. Crowley
  • These are large fast-response vessels, with a top speed greater than 20-25 knots, able to stay at sea for up to 6 weeks and operate year round
  • Able to carry 2 rigid-hull inflatable boats and a helicopter with hangar capabilities
  • Designed primarily for fisheries and law enforcement, and Search and Rescue on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
CCGS Cygnus CCGS Cygnus

Special Navaids Vessel (2):

  • 2 Special Navaids vessels will undergo refit: CCGS Dumit and CCGS Eckaloo
  • This is a shallow draught, flat- bottom vessel (approx. 50 metres in length) , able to sustain repeated groundings and shifting river channels
  • Can accommodate a helicopter with minimal hangar capabilities
  • Primarily used for navigational aids on the Mackenzie River
CCGS Dumit CCGS Dumit

Air Cushion Vehicle (2):

  • Two Air Cushion Vehicles will undergo Mid-life Modernizations: the CCGS Siyay and the CCGS Sipu Muin
  • These are medium-sized, fast (up to 45 knots), multi-task vessels which ride on a cushion of air (a hovercraft), capable of working in very shallow areas and littoral zones
  • Holds 4 to 7 crew members
  • Primarily used for Search and Rescue, aids to navigation, environmental response, and icebreaking
NGCC Siyay CCGS Siyay

Five vessels will undergo vessel life extensions that currently serve Newfoundland and Labrador. These vessels include the CCGS Henry Larsen, CCGS Ann Harvey, CCGS G.R. Pearkes, the CCGS Cygnus and the CCGS L.J Cowley.

Five vessels will undergo vessel life extensions that currently serve Quebec. These vessels include: CCGS Pierre Radisson, CCGS Amundsen, CCGS Des Groseillers,
CCGS Martha L. Black, and CCGS Sipu Muin.

Three vessels will undergo vessel life extensions that currently serve British Columbia. These vessels include: CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, CCGS John P. Tully, and CCGS Siyay.

Three vessels will undergo vessel life extensions that currently serve Nova Scotia. These vessels include: CCGS E. Cornwallis, CCGS SW Alexander, and CCGS Earl Grey.

Two vessels will undergo vessel life extensions that currently serve the Northwest Territories. These vessels include: CCGS Dumit, and CCGS Eckaloo.

Work conducted on these 18 vessels will vary according to vessel, but may include:

hull and related structural elements, deck equipment, communication and navigation equipment, propulsion and manoeuvering equipment, safety and security equipment, electrical generation and distribution equipment, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, domestic systems and auxiliary systems.

Work will be conducted in Canada and is expected to be completed over the next 10 years.

News Release: