December 18, 2023
CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier arrived at Seaspan’s Vancouver Drydock in North Vancouver in November to undergo an extensive refit through April 2024 – one of the biggest projects the Vancouver Drydock team has taken on in recent years.
- Repair, blast, and paint work on the interior and exterior of the vessel
- Propulsion genset replacement of the three 42-tonne engines
- Installation of new Shipboard Integrated Communication system using more than 15km of new cable
- Fabrication and installation of new towing bollard on aft deck, with a towing capacity of 80 tonnes
- Repair and refit of the rudder and shafting
Given the scope of the project, there will be more than 100 dedicated tradespeople working on the vessel each day.
As a multi-mission icebreaker, the Victoria-based vessel is tasked with undertaking scientific research, search and rescue, fisheries enforcement and other missions as needed in coastal waters and the Canadian Arctic. It is a vital part of Canada’s icebreaking fleet for both commercial and security purposes. With a gross tonnage of 3,812, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier is among the largest vessels currently operated by the Coast Guard.