Vanguard Magazine

C C G F L E E T 20 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com B Y R A C H A E L B U R D M A N The Future Fleet of the Canadian Coast Guard C anada's vast and rugged coast- lines, stretching over 243,000 kilometres, is not only a defin- ing geographic feature but a critical lifeline for communi- ties, ecosystems, and trade. At the helm of protecting and serving these waters is the Canadian Coast Guard, an institution that for over six decades has delivered safety, environmental protection, science, and safe navigation across the country's mari- time domain. Today, the Canadian Coast Guard is un- dergoing a transformation, renewing fed- eral fleets, rebuilding domestic shipbuild- ing capacity, and generating economic benefits nationwide. A key element of this transformation is the expansion of Canadi- an Coast Guard services under the Oceans Act—the amendments are currently be- fore Parliament and will strengthen secu- rity and safeguard Canada's vast coasts and waterways, particularly in remote North- ern regions. The Canadian Coast Guard's mandate is broad and vital. Its responsibilities include responding to marine incidents through its search and rescue services, keeping commercial shipping routes open with sea- sonal icebreaking, leading environmental response efforts during marine pollution events, maintaining a Canadian presence through Arctic operations, and supporting ocean science and navigation safety across Canadian waters. To meet these multifac- eted duties, the Canadian Coast Guard requires a capable and modern fleet, one that the National Shipbuilding Strategy is helping to realize. The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a multi-decade, multi-billion-dollar invest- ment by the Government of Canada. Its goals are clear: deliver modern vessels to federal fleets, revitalize the Canadian ma- rine industry, and create economic op- portunities across the country. More than $26.5 billion in contracts have been awarded under the Strategy, generating close to 19,000 jobs annually between 2012 and 2023. One of the most visible successes of the National Shipbuilding Strategy has been the rollout of Bay Class motor lifeboats. Built in Gaspé, Quebec and Wheatley, Ontario, these search and rescue vessels are built to respond rapidly to emergen- cies up to 100 nautical miles from shore. With high speed, self-righting capability, and the ability to operate in severe weath- er, these vessels form an important part of near-shore rescue operations. Crews aboard vessels like the CCGS Baie des Chaleurs and CCGS Hare Bay can launch shortly after receiving an alert, ensuring swift life-saving interventions on all three coasts. As of July 2025, 18 Bay Class ves- sels had been constructed and delivered, with the final two scheduled for delivery within a few months. Complementing these rescue capabili- ties, October 2020 marked another major milestone: the delivery of the third Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, CCGS John Cabot. As the final vessel in the first class of large ships completed under the Strategy, it en- ables the collection of critical scientific data. Icebreaking, meanwhile, remains a cen- tral pillar of the Coast Guard's services to Canadians, vital not only for maintaining commercial routes but for ensuring Cana- da's Arctic economic security. The current fleet includes 19 icebreakers of varying capability, with several nearing the end of their operational lives. To address this, Ca- nadian shipyards have been contracted to build up to six new Program Icebreakers, up to 16 Multi-purpose Icebreakers, two Polar Icebreakers, and two new Arctic Off- shore Patrol Vessels, which will also be ice capable. The Program Icebreakers will en- sure service on the Atlantic, Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, and Arctic routes. These services include keeping shipping routes open, preventing ice jams, and support- ing Arctic resupply. Maintaining ice-free shipping lanes is crucial in ensuring goods Photo: Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards Photo: The Canadian Coast Guard

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