Canadian Coast Guard / Image: FiskerForum
Canadian Coast Guard formally takes third science vessel into service
CANADA
Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 07:00 (GMT + 9)
Although it has been in service since October 2020, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCGS) ship John Cabot has now been formally dedicated to Canadian Coast Guard service.
Built by Seaspan Shipyards, John Cabot is based in St John's and is the third of three dedicated to servicing offshore fisheries science vessels built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. These ships serve as floating laboratories equipped with modern research equipment to collect the data that underpins the management of the oceans and aquatic resources.
A dockside ceremony was held at the ship's home port, the Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region headquarters in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The ceremony included the traditional breaking of a bottle at the bow of the ship by the ship's sponsor, Dr. M. Joanne Morgan.
In the maritime tradition, the ship sponsor is a civilian who participates in a ship's naming ceremony and has a continuing interest in the ship's operations. Dr. Morgan is a retired research scientist from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. She was also the first woman to chair the scientific council of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.
“The dedication of CCGS John Cabot is a milestone in our government's historic investment in ocean science and the Canadian Coast Guard. Having a modern ship to collect data on the marine ecosystem is important for the restoration of fish species and their habitat. This, in turn, will create more economic opportunities for coastal communities,” said Joyce Murray, Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Like all Canadian Coast Guard vessels, the CCGS John Cabot is also equipped to support environmental response and search and rescue operations, when needed.
“Today is another proud day for the Canadian Coast Guard as we welcome CCGS John Cabot to the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. This Canadian-built vessel will serve as a dedicated scientific platform allowing Canadian Coast Guard crews and fisheries scientists to carry out their important work. A special thanks to the team that designed and built this magnificent vessel,” said Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
The offshore fishing science vessels are the first class of vessels built by Seaspan's Vancouver shipyards, as part of the non-combat package under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The three new vessels replace existing capacity on Canada's east and west coasts. They support scientific research, including fishing and acoustic studies of fish and invertebrates, the collection of information on the abundance and distribution of marine species, and the collection of data on marine ecosystems and the impacts of human activity on fishery resources and the health of ecosystems.
Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum
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