Canada’s heaviest icebreaker CCGS Louis St Laurent enters dry-dock for refit

Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis St Laurent, the country’s heaviest icebreaker, arrived in Quebec, Canada where it was dry-docked for a refit.

Work on the refit and upgrades of CCGS Louis St Laurent will be undertaken by Davie Shipbuilding under a $14 million contract announced in January 2017.

During a life-extension refit that was completed by Davie and Babcock Canada in July, 2014, the polar icebreaker underwent structural maintenance and had various systems replaced and upgraded.

The work included maintenance to meet marine regulatory requirements and upgrades to various vessel systems from propulsion to navigation in order for the vessel to complete its work in the Arctic.

CCGS Louis St Laurent was commissioned in 1969 and, during the 47 years of service, helped keep the Arctic Ocean routes navigable.

Louis St Laurent also made history by becoming the first the first North American surface vessel to reach the north Pole together with US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea in August, 1994.