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August 19, 2024 – North Vancouver, BC – Seaspan Shipyards has proudly launched the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, Canada’s newest and most advanced research vessel. This state-of-the-art ship represents a significant achievement for Seaspan, marking the fourth vessel designed and built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, an Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV), is a floating laboratory and the new flagship for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Designed as a Polar Class 6 vessel, it is highly capable in icy conditions and equipped with the latest scientific research systems. Its mission is to enhance marine surveys and oceanographic research in Atlantic Canada, aiding in the understanding of ocean currents, seabed mapping, and the effects of climate change.
Named after an esteemed elder from Nunavik, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk honors a prominent advocate for Inuit language and culture. The vessel will be stationed in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, accommodating up to 34 crew members and 26 scientists. At 88 meters long and with a design displacement of 5,058 tonnes, it boasts a modular working deck, an oceanographic winch, dedicated labs, and a marine mammal observation station. Additionally, the ship can undertake search and rescue missions and respond to environmental emergencies.
The ship replaces the CCGS Hudson, a veteran of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet since 1964, which was decommissioned in 2022 after nearly six decades of service. This transition signifies a new era in Canada’s commitment to ocean research, with the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk poised to support both national and international scientific initiatives for decades to come.
The launch was celebrated with a special commemorative coin designed by Tsleil-Waututh Nation artist Olivia George. Titled “Protection and Knowledge,” the coins feature imagery that reflects the connection between land, sea, and community, including the orca, a symbol of harmony and intergenerational knowledge.
Seaspan Shipyards CEO John McCarthy emphasized the importance of this launch, stating, “The launch of Canada’s largest and most modern science vessel is a historic day for our country and the crucial work underway to support ocean research. Seaspan is delivering on the promise of the National Shipbuilding Strategy – ships built in Canada by Canadians for Canada.”
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the vessel’s role in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry and supporting the Coast Guard’s mission.
As the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk prepares for its sea trials, it stands dockside at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for final outfitting, marking the last step before it officially joins the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet.
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