Canada names interim Coast Guard icebreakers

Canadian Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard has named the two interim icebreakers currently undergoing conversion work at Chantier Davie.

Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the ships will be named CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey.

These ships will be available to support Coast Guard programs by late 2019 and summer 2020, respectively. In December 2018, the Canadian Coast Guard accepted the first of three interim icebreakers which were acquired to supplement its existing fleet during vessel life extension and repair periods.

CCGS Jean Goodwill takes its name from one of the founding members of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and contemporary champion of public health services for Indigenous people. CCGS Vincent Massey, is named after the first Canadian appointed to the post of Governor General, which until then was occupied by British born individuals.

Minister Wilkinson also announced a CAD 7.1 million contract award to Chantier Davie for the refit of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, Canada’s largest icebreaker.

This contract was awarded on April 15, 2019 following an Advanced Contract Award Notice issued on November 16, 2018.

“The refit of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is an important part of the planned maintenance of the Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet,” Wilkinson said. “Regular maintenance helps ensure our largest vessel is ready to provide essential icebreaking services to Canadians, especially in the Arctic where shipping escorts are essential to resupplying northern communities. Furthermore, we look forward to welcoming CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey to the fleet to help support the Coast Guard with the essential work they do in Canadian waters.”