August 23, 2024
On Saturday, August 17, Seaspan hosted the launch and naming celebration for the Canadian Coast Guard’s flagship science vessel, CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, at Vancouver Shipyards. The fourth ship designed, built and launched by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the event marked the culmination of years of hard work by our dedicated employees and partners, as well as hundreds of others across Seaspan’s cross-Canada supply chain who worked on the vessel.
More than 250 distinguished guests attended the celebration, including the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity and Member of Parliament for Delta, the Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services and local Member of Parliament for Burnaby North – Seymour, and Assistant Commissioner of the Atlantic Region for the Canadian Coast Guard, Gary Ivany, who is responsible for the Coast Guard’s operations in the region where the vessel will be operating.
CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is named after a well-respected elder from Nunavik, who was a renowned promoter of the Inuit language and culture. The launch and naming celebration was made even more special with the participation of Naalak’s family who travelled from Nunavik. We were honoured to have Lukasi Nappaaluk, Naalak’s son, speak during the ceremony, and Naalak’s daughter, Qiallak, christen the vessel as the ship’s sponsor.
Watch the video of the ceremony and vessel christening: