Keith Ashfield, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, recently presented new Coast Guard vessels to the Province’s Canadian Coast Guard fleets, with one of the new vessels replacing Prince Rupert’s current ship the Point Henry.
The CCGS Cape Dauphin will be Prince Rupert’s new vessel and will be officially named and dedicated at a ceremony held in town later this month.
“These new vessels are a great addition to the Coast Guard fleet and are being used extensively for search and rescue operations throughout Canada. The enhanced capabilities of the vessels is now considered the service standard for coastal inshore operations in the Pacific region,” explained Ashfield in a press release.
The new vessels were funded under a $19.6 million contract under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and were built by the Victoria Shipyard Co. Ltd. The ships have been designed to safely operate in maximum storm conditions with a continuous wind speed of up to 80 knots and associated seas of up to 12 meters. To help ensure safer operations in rough conditions, the vessels are self-bailing and self-righting.
Other new vessels constructed under the same contract will be delivered to Ontario and Quebec, as well as another vessel being named and dedicated at a ceremony in Campbell River at the end of last month.
Look in future Prince Rupert Northern View issues for details on the ceremony and the vessel.