Fleet: Vessel classes

The Canadian Coast Guard fleet includes vessels of different classes and functions.

A vessel class is a group of vessels with similar design features. Some vessel classes have subcategories based on function.

On this page

• Air Cushioned Vehicle (Hovercraft)
• Channel Survey and Sounding Vessel
• Heavy Icebreaker
• High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel
• Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel
• Medium Icebreaker
• Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel
• Mid-Shore Science Vessel
• Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessel
• Offshore Fishery Science Vessel
• Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel
• Offshore Patrol Vessel
• Search and Rescue Lifeboat
  • Arun
  • Bay
  • Cape
  • Sound
• Special Aids to Navigation Vessel
• Specialty Vessel
• Related links

Air Cushioned Vehicle (Hovercraft)

Air Cushioned Vehicle (Hovercraft) are fast, medium-sized vessels that ride on a cushion of air. They are capable of working in very shallow areas and where water meets the land. They can be used for a variety of tasks.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 4

Operations:

• primary:
  • icebreaking
  • aids to navigation
  • search and rescue
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • environmental response
  • law enforcement
  • fisheries:
    • management
    • conservation
    • protection
  • assisting other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• reach speed up to 45 knots
• highly maneuverable in tight areas
• can navigate shallow waters and mudflats
• can operate over various surfaces such as:
  • water
  • land
  • ice
• have powerful cranes to for aids to navigation work in shallow waters
• can reduce their ride height to pass under low bridges and trees in shallow rivers

Naming:

• named after Indigenous words related to the marine environment

Learn more about each Air Cushioned Vehicle (Hovercraft) in our fleet.

Channel Survey and Sounding Vessel

Channel Survey and Sounding Vessels are small catamarans. They are used to survey the depth of waterways. Our vessels collect data on the St Lawrence River, between Montreal and Montmagny, Quebec. The collected data helps ensure safe navigation on this busy waterway.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 2

Operations:

• primary:
  • depth surveying
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • science programs
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • fisheries:
    • management
    • conservation
    • protection

Vessel capabilities and features:

• have excellent stability for their size
• use scientific equipment to monitor water depth levels and identify hazards in the water
• provide up-to-date information

Naming:

• named after former Dominion hydrographers and scientists of Canada

Learn more about each Channel Survey and Sounding Vessel in our fleet.

Heavy Icebreaker

Heavy Icebreakers are very large multitasked vessels. They are capable of sustained operations over two seasons per year.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 2

Operations:

• primary:
  • icebreaking support to commercial vessels in the Canadian Arctic in summer
  • conducting harbour breakouts and vessel escorts in winter in:
    • Atlantic Canada
    • the St. Lawrence River
    • the Gulf of St. Lawrence
  • annual re-supply of goods to Arctic communities
  • support Canada's Arctic sovereignty
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • aids to navigation
  • search and rescue
  • emergency response
  • environmental response
  • scientific research support
  • platform support for fisheries conservation and protection

Vessel capabilities and features:

• helicopter hangar
• carries multiple utility craft
• large cargo carrying capacity
• can operate in heavy ice conditions

Naming:

• named after Canadians who have made significant contributions in:
  • politics
  • business
  • public service
  • charitable work

Learn more about each Heavy Icebreaker vessel in our fleet.

High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel

High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels are large and highly adaptable. They are multi-tasked vessels with an icebreaking capability. They can:

• work in the southern and western Arctic
• perform escort operations in winter in:
  • the Great Lakes
  • St. Lawrence River
  • Gulf of St. Lawrence
  • Atlantic Coast

Number of vessels in our fleet

• 7

Operations:

• primary:
  • icebreaking
  • buoy tending
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • support for scientific research
  • fisheries conservation and protection

Vessel capabilities and features:

• shallower draught than the medium icebreaker
• have large cranes for buoy tending
• large cargo hold and deck capacity
• helicopter deck, most with hangers
• carries multiple utility craft

Naming:

• named after former Canadian mariners and members of the Canadian Coast Guard who have made significant contributions

Learn more about each High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel in our fleet.

Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel

Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels are large and have shallow draughts. They are designed based on the off-shore supply vessels used in the off-shore oil industry. They can be used for different tasks.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 3

Operations:

• primary:
  • icebreaking
  • buoy tending
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • support for scientific research
  • fisheries conservation and protection

Vessel capabilities and features:

• large cranes for tending buoys
• large cargo hold and deck capacity
• shallower draughts than those of the high endurance multi-task vessels

Naming:

• named after former Canadian mariners or members of the Canadian Coast Guard who have made significant contributions

Learn more about each Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel in our fleet.

Medium Icebreaker

Medium Icebreakers are large vessels. They can perform sustained icebreaking and escort operations in:

• the Great Lakes
• St. Lawrence River
• Gulf of St. Lawrence
• Atlantic Coast
• the Arctic Archipelago, over two seasons per year

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 7

Operations:

• primary:
  • icebreaking in winter:
    • clearing ice from fishing harbours
    • escorting commercial vessels and ferries through ice-covered waters
    • keeping shipping routes open in the St. Lawrence River and in Atlantic
    • Canada
  • in summer:
    • annual re-supply of goods to Arctic communities
    • scientific missions in the Arctic (one dedicated ship)
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • aids to navigation
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • supporting Arctic science programs
  • providing platform support for fisheries conservation and protection
  • maintaining a presence in the North in support of Canada's Arctic sovereignty

Vessel capabilities and features:

• carries multiple utility craft
• some have a helicopter hangar
• capacity to carry medium cargo
• can operate away from shore for sustained periods of time

Naming:

• named after former explorers and leaders

Learn more about each Medium Icebreaker vessel in our fleet.

Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel

Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels are medium-sized and can operate up to 220 km offshore. They are used to support law enforcement operations.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 8

Operations:

• primary:
  • maritime security with RCMP personnel onboard
  • fisheries enforcement with Conservation and Protection personnel onboard
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • assisting other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate for up to 2 weeks at sea
• have a fuel range of 2,000 nautical miles
• have 1 or 2 zodiac inflatable boats that can be launched with an on-board crane
• some have a trap hauler for removing fishing gear from the water

Naming:

• named after:
• recipients of Canadian honours
• members of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard who perished in the line of duty

Learn more about each Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel in our fleet.

Mid-Shore Science Vessel

Mid-Shore Science Vessels are designed to access shallow waters and small harbours and waterways. They vary in size and can operate in areas that larger vessels can't access. They support Fisheries and Oceans' science programs.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 3

Operations:

• primary:
  • science missions:
    • fishery
    • freshwater
    • oceanographic
  • hydrographic surveys
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • aids to navigation
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • support to:
    • Fisheries Conservation and Protection
    • other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• feature specialized science labs
• can operate away from port for up to 14 days

Naming:

• named after words related to scientific research, and Canadian bays

Learn more about each Mid-Shore Science Vessel in our fleet.

Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessel

Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels are small ships that collect oceanographic data about near-shore areas. They are used where larger vessels cannot access.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 4

Operations:

• primary:
  • hydrography
  • oceans science
  • fisheries science
  • habitat management
  • environmental science
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• have science equipment for collecting and storing samples
• used to conduct a wide range of science-related activities including:
  • acoustic studies
  • bottom-sampling
  • hydrographic surveys
  • oceanographic sampling
  • stock assessment surveys

Naming:

• named after former Canadian scientists and biologists

Learn more about each Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessel in our fleet.

Offshore Fishery Science Vessel

Offshore Fishery Science Vessels are large floating laboratories. They support scientific research at sea.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 4

Operations:

• primary:
  • conducting fishing and acoustic surveys of fish and marine life
  • collecting data on:
    • marine ecosystems
    • impact of human activity on fisheries resources and ecosystem health
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • fisheries conservation and protection
  • supporting maritime security and law enforcement
  • supporting other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• have modern research labs
• can operate at sea for up to a month
• have specialized equipment and tools for gathering ocean data and samples

Naming:

• named after former scientists and explorers

Learn more about each Offshore Fishery Science Vessel in our fleet.

Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel

Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessels are the largest dedicated science vessels in our fleet. They are outfitted to support a wide range of scientific research.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 1

Operations:

• primary:
  • oceans science
  • surveys:
    • geological
    • hydrographic
    • oceanographic
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• equipped with:
  • an adaptable deck to meet different mission requirements
  • a marine mammal observation station
  • a room for processing ocean samples
  • multiple labs

Name:

• named after former Canadian scientists and explorers

Learn more about each Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel in our fleet.

Offshore Patrol Vessel

Offshore Patrol Vessels are large vessels that can operate beyond 220 km from shore.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 6

Operations:

• primary:
  • buoy tending
  • fisheries conservation and protection
  • search and rescue
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • environmental response
  • support for scientific research

Vessel capabilities and features:

• carry multiple utility craft
• some have cranes for buoy tending
• may have helicopter deck and hanger
• some are able to transit light ice-infested waters

Naming:

• various naming profiles depending on what the vessels are used for

Learn more about each Offshore Patrol Vessel in our fleet.

Search and Rescue Lifeboat

Search and Rescue Lifeboats are small and shore-based. They are capable of search and rescue operations close to 200 km from shore.

There are 4 sub-categories of vessel within this class:

• Arun
• Cape
• Bay
• Sound

Arun

Arun class vessels are our medium, high-speed lifeboats. They are designed and equipped for search and rescue operations in Canadian waters.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 5

Operations:

• primary:
  • search and rescue
  • assisting disabled vessels
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • marine security
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in rough waters
• ready to respond the moment an alert is received
• able to return to normal position after flipping over (self-righting)
• capable of search and rescue operations close to 200 km from shore

Naming:

• named after Canadian:
  • communities
  • vessels they replaced

Learn more about each Arun class vessel in our fleet.

Bay

Bay class vessels are high-endurance lifeboats, the largest of our Search and Rescue Lifeboats. They are designed and equipped for search and rescue operations in Canadian waters.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 18

Operations:

• primary:
  • search and rescue
  • assisting disabled vessels
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • marine security
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in rough waters
• ready to respond the moment an alert is received
• able to return to normal position after flipping over (self-righting)
• capable of search and rescue operations close to 200 km from shore

Naming:

• named after Canadian bays

Learn more about each Bay class vessel in our fleet.

Cape

Cape class vessels are high-speed lifeboats, the smallest of our Search and Rescue Lifeboats. They are designed and equipped for search and rescue operations in Canadian waters.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 35

Operations:

• primary:
  • search and rescue
  • assisting disabled vessels
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • marine security
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in rough waters
• ready to respond the moment an alert is received
• able to return to normal position after flipping over (self-righting)
• capable of search and rescue operations close to 200 km from shore

Naming:

• named after Canadian capes

Learn more about each Cape class vessel in our fleet.

Sound

Sound class vessels are very high-speed lifeboats. They are designed and equipped for search and rescue operations in Canadian waters.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 1

Operations:

• primary:
  • search and rescue
  • assisting disabled vessels
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • marine security
  • environmental response

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in rough waters
• ready to respond the moment an alert is received
• able to return to normal position after flipping over (self-righting)
• capable of search and rescue operations close to 200 km from shore

Naming:

• named after Canadian sounds

Learn more about each Sound class vessel in our fleet.

Special Aids to Navigation Vessel

Our Special Aids to Navigation Vessels operate as buoy tenders on the Mackenzie River. They have a shallow draft, the part of the boat that sits underwater.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 2

Operations:

• primary:
  • buoy tending:
    • deployment
    • repositioning
    • maintenance and recovery
    • constructing and servicing remote fixed aids systems
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • supporting other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in very shallow waters because of their shallow drafts

Naming:

• named after Indigenous words related to the marine and freshwater waterways in Canada

Learn more about each Special Aids to Navigation Vessel in our fleet.

Specialty Vessel

Specialty Vessels are small and of various designs. They have a shallow draft, the part of the boat that sits underwater.

Number of vessels in our fleet:

• 12

Operations:

• primary:
  • science
  • aids to navigation
  • fisheries conservation and protection
• secondary, depending on availability:
  • search and rescue
  • environmental response
  • support to other government departments and agencies

Vessel capabilities and features:

• can operate in very shallow waters because of their shallow drafts
• have powerful cranes for aids to navigation work in shallow waters

Naming:

• named after Canadians who contributed to:
  • fisheries management
  • marine transportation
  • maritime safety or security
  • marine and fishery research
• also named after Indigenous words referencing islands in the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways

Learn more about the different Specialty Vessels in our fleet.

Related links

• Icebreaking
• Search and rescue
• Vessel Naming Policy
• National Shipbuilding Strategy
• Canadian Coast Guard's Air Cushion Vehicles