The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) John Cabot was officially dedicated into service on July 13. The ship is the third of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. These unique vessels serve as floating laboratories outfitted with modern research equipment to collect data needed for sustainable management of Canada’s oceans and aquatic resources.
The ship was officially commissioned into the Canadian Coast Guard fleet with a dockside ceremony at its homeport, Canadian Coast Guard headquarters in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Breaking a bottle over the ship’s bow by its sponsor, Dr. M. Joanne Morgan, was part of the traditional ceremony.
“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 the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Dr. Morgan, a retired Fisheries and Oceans Canada Research Scientist, is the vessel sponsor for the CCGS John Cabot. A sponsor, as defined by maritime tradition, is a civilian who participates in a naming ceremony and takes an ongoing interest in the vessel’s operations. She was also the first woman to chair the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s Scientific Council.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy will restore Canada’s shipbuilding capacity, creating well-paid jobs and providing the Canadian Coast Guard with modern ships capable of fulfilling their missions.
The CCGS John Cabot is the third-largest vessel in the Coast Guard fleet, built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy to ensure Canada’s marine services have safe, reliable and modern equipment to fulfill their missions. It was created to support search and rescue operations and environmental response.
“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,” remarked Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.