Irving launches Canadian Coast Guard’s last Hero-class patrol vessel

Irving Shipbuilding has launched the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) ninth and final Hero-class patrol vessel CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M, from Halifax Shipyard.

Also called mid-shore patrol vessel, the craft has been christened in honour of captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, who was Canada’s first female soldier to be killed (17 May 2006) in combat in Afghanistan.

Each of the nine Hero-class patrol vessels, built as part of the programme, have been named after fallen personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Canadian Forces who presented heroic acts during their service.

The latest Hero-class patrol vessel, being built as part of a $194m contract awarded to Irving Shipbuilding in September 2009, will now go through further construction and finish work followed by sea trials in late summer, with anticipated delivery by early fall.

Designed for the CCG and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Marine Security Enforcement Team joint programme, the CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M is capable of supporting a range of missions including surveillance of fisheries operations, control of illegal fishing equipment and illegal fish poaching, as well as anti-smuggling.

Powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines driving a pair of controllable pitch propellers, the Hero-class vessels feature high-speed and long-rage capabilities that enable extended operations in tricky weather conditions.

Capable of supervising and patrolling the coastlines and international limits to demonstrate the Canadian presence, the 43m-long 257t Hero-class vessels can cruise at a maximum speed of 25k.

Image: Hero-Class Ship #9, the CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M during its launch from Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard. Photo: Courtesy of Canada.gc.ca.