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Seaspan Shipyards has officially handed over the offshore oceanographic science vessel (OOSV) CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) during an acceptance ceremony at Vancouver Shipyards.
The vessel is named in honor of a highly respected Inuk elder from Nunavik, celebrated for her lifelong efforts in preserving and promoting the Inuit language and culture.
Built at a project cost of CAD 1.47 billion, the 88-meter vessel replaces CCGS Hudson, retired in 2022 after nearly six decades of service. The new OOSV becomes Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s primary platform for oceanographic research and stands as the largest purpose-built science vessel ever constructed for the Coast Guard, combining state-of-the-art research systems with operational versatility.
Designed to support a crew of 34 and up to 26 scientists, CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk boasts an endurance of more than 6,000 nautical miles and can remain at sea for up to six weeks. Beyond research missions, it can contribute to search and rescue operations and environmental response tasks.
Key capabilities include:
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Modular working deck configurable with mission-specific science modules
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Marine mammal observation station for real-time environmental monitoring
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Dedicated ocean sampling room and multiple specialized laboratories (chemical, acoustics, salinity, computer, general-purpose, and seawater)
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Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) systems and Hydro Wire Launch and Recovery System (LARS)
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Main and secondary cranes, stern A-frame, towing booms, and seismic compressors for deep-ocean operations
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Drop keel and advanced sonar/sensor arrays for high-resolution ocean data collection
Before heading to its home port at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the vessel will first sail to Patricia Bay for crew training and familiarization.
The delivery of Naalak Nappaaluk comes amid a series of major shipbuilding milestones at Seaspan, including the launch of HMCS Protecteur, steel cutting for the CCG’s new heavy polar icebreaker, a successful functional design review for the multipurpose icebreakers, and the design award for six U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters.
Seaspan Shipyards CEO John McCarthy hailed the vessel as a testament to Canada’s revitalized shipbuilding capabilities:
“Delivering CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk demonstrates that investments in rebuilding the West Coast shipbuilding industry are paying off. This achievement reflects the dedication and talent of our teams and partners.”
Canadian Coast Guard Commissioner Mario Pelletier emphasized the vessel’s strategic importance:
“The delivery of CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is a major step in modernizing the Coast Guard fleet. As our largest dedicated science vessel, it will be a world-class platform for critical research, supporting sustainable marine resource management and helping Canada respond to evolving ocean conditions.”
The new OOSV marks a significant advancement in Canada’s ocean science infrastructure, strengthening national capabilities in marine research and maritime safety for decades to come.
