Although it has been in service since October 2020, Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) John Cabot has now been formally dedicated into service with the Canadian Coast Guard
Built by Seaspan Shipyards, John Cabot is based in St John’s and is the third of three dedicated into serviceOffshore Fisheries Science Vessels built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. These vessels serve as floating laboratories outfitted with modern research equipment to collect the data to underpin management of oceans and aquatic resources.
A dockside ceremony was held at the vessel’s homeport, the Canadian Coast Guard’s Atlantic Region headquarters in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The ceremony included the traditional breaking of a bottle on the ship’s bow by the vessel sponsor, Dr. M. Joanne Morgan.
In maritime tradition, the vessel sponsor is a civilian who participates in a vessel naming ceremony and takes an ongoing interest in the vessel’s operations. Dr. Morgan is a retired Fisheries and Oceans Canada research scientist. She was also the first woman to chair the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s scientific council.
‘The dedication of the CCGS John Cabot is a milestone in our government’s historic investment in ocean sciences and the Canadian Coast Guard. Having a modern ship to gather data about the marine ecosystem is important to the restoration of fish species and their habitat. This in turn will support more economic opportunities for coastal communities,’ said Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Like all Canadian Coast Guard vessels, 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 the CCGS John Cabot to the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. This Canadian built vessel will serve as a dedicated science platform that will allow Canadian Coast Guard crews and fishery scientists to carry out their important work. A special thanks to the team who designed and built this magnificent vessel,’ commented Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels are the first class of ships to be 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 the east and west coasts of Canada. They support scientific research including fishing and acoustic surveys of fish and invertebrates, collecting information on the abundance and distribution of marine species, and collecting data on marine ecosystems and the impacts of human activity on fisheries resources and ecosystem health.
