Commissioning of the newest Government of Canada Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel
Canadian Coast Guard officially commissioned the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) John Cabot. This is the third of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. These unique vessels serve as floating laboratories equipped with modern research equipment to collect the data necessary for the sustainable management of Canada's oceans and aquatic resources.
A dockside ceremony was held at the ship's home port, Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region Headquarters in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The ceremony included the traditional tossing of a bottle onto the bow of the ship by the ship's sponsor, Dr. M. Joanne Morgan.
In maritime tradition, a ship's godfather or godmother is a civilian who participates in a ship's naming ceremony and takes an ongoing interest in the ship's operations. The Canadian Coast Guard is proud to have Dr. Morgan as patron of the CCGS John Cabot . 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.
Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is revitalizing the shipbuilding industry, creating meaningful skilled jobs and building all-new classes of ships to ensure that Canada's maritime services have modern, safe and reliable to fulfill their missions.
Like all Canadian Coast Guard vessels, the CCGS John Cabot is also equipped to provide environmental response, as well as search and rescue operations, if required.
Quotes
“The inauguration of the CCGS John Cabot is an important milestone in our government's historic investment in ocean science and the Canadian Coast Guard. Having a modern vessel to collect data on the marine ecosystem is important for the restoration of fish species and their habitat. This will then increase economic opportunities for coastal communities. »
The Honorable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“Today is another proud day for the Canadian Coast Guard as we welcome the CCGS John Cabot to the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. This Canadian-built vessel will serve as a specialized science platform for Canadian Coast Guard crews and fisheries scientists to carry out their important work. A special thank you to the Vancouver Shipyard for this magnificent vessel. »
Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
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The CCGS John Cabot is the third large ship delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
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Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OHSH) are the first class of vessels built by Seaspan Shipyard in Vancouver under the non-combat vessel component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
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The three new vessels replace existing vessels on the east and west coasts of Canada. They will support scientific research, including:
- acoustic and fisheries surveys of fish and invertebrates;
- collecting information on the abundance and distribution of marine species;
- collecting data on marine ecosystems and the impacts of human activity on fisheries resources and ecosystem health.