Category Archives: CCGS

CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk Joins the Fleet

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The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk officially joined the Coast Guard fleet today. The Offshore Ocenagraphic Science vessel is the long awaited replacement for the CCGS Hudson, and was built by Seaspan in Vancouver. the ships keel laying cerimony took place in November 2022, and the completed ship was delivered to the Coast Guard in November 2025 and arrived in Halifax via the Panama Canal earlier in the year.

the ship can accommodate up to 34 crew and 26 scientists and will be stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography.

The ship is is named after Nunavik elder Naalak Nappaaluk (1928-2010) who was known for his vast knowledge of animals, weather patterns, the sea and even the night sky. Nappaaluk was a skilled and respected community builder and harvester devoted to ensuring Inuit language, culture and knowledge of the natural world was preserved and passed on to future generations

NSPS Update from Vancouver

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A recent stopover in Vancouver allowed me the opportunity to pop over to the North Van side of the harbour to take a peak at the Seaspan facility there. Seaspan is currently building 2 supply ships for the navy (one is hull complete, the second has blocks under construction) as well as the Offshore Science vessel for the Coast Guard, which is the replacement for CCGS Hudson.

Much of the work in Vancouver is able to occur outdoors, owing to that cities better weather,so a good idea of the progress on both vessels can be easily had. The yards massive blue crane is also very impressive in person.

RRS Discovery

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The Royal Research Ship Discovery put into BIO over the weekend. The research vessel is operated by the Natural Environment Research Council, or NERC. the ship is the Third Discovery, the first being 1901 built ship that Robert Falcon Scott used on his antarctic expeditions.

The ship is likely at BIO to complete some science that would have previously used the Hudson. BIO has chartered British ships in the past, with RRS James Cook calling on a couple of occasions.

This RRS Discovery was completed in 2013.

The End for CCGS Alfred Needler

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On Febuary 9th the Feds announced the the Alferd Needler would be retired. the ship had been scheduled for a 5 million dollar refit to stretch some more life out of it, but equipment failures, and hull damage caused by contact with the dock have brought an end to the ship.

The ship will be recycled.

Kolpit Hopson 1752 at BIO

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The Kolpit Hopson 1752 emerged from Mid life extension refit in December, and was turned back over to the coast guard. Besides receiving a new name, The ex Edward Cornwallis was reengined, and a new crane was installed to replace the derrick it previously carried, as well as other upgrades and maintenance. The ships new name recognizes the two signatories of the Peace and friendship treaty of 1752.

CCGS Molly Kool

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The Molly Kool tied up along side the Hudson, having put into BIO after responding to the Holiday Island fire.

with the end of the month, she is likely here for crew change. BIO typically has a busy dock at crew change time, but this is the first time i can recall seeing one ship tied up against another.

Hydra Mariner being removed.

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The Coast guard is in the Process of removing the Hydra Mariner from Navy Island in the bedford basin. The CG announced last week that the vessel would be cut up in place, and disposed of.

The costs for the cleanup will be covered by the Ship Source Oil Pollution Fund, which will then go after the vessels owner to recover the cleanup costs. The Hydra Mariner is registered with the TC Registry of shipping as a pleasure craft.

The vessel grounded in January 2021, in high winds. It had been moored in the cove for some time.

Research Vessel Atlantis

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The Research Vessel Atlantis arrived this morning and tied up at BIO. The Vessel will likely be assisting with some Science missions that would normally be done by the now retired Hudson.

Built in 1998, The ship is owned by the US Navy, and is assigned to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. The ship is one of 3, the others being operated by Scripps university and NOAA.

Atlantis is also configured to carry the Alvin Deep Submergence vessel that was used to explore the Titanic.