Canada has new Fisheries Research Vessel

NOVEMBER 7, 2012 — Commissioned earlier this year, the CCGS Vladykov is the first of three new Near-Shore Fisheries Research Vessels to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard.

The vessel was constructed at at Meridien Maritime Inc.’s Matane, Quebec, shipyard to a design developed by Robert Allan Ltd of Vancouver, B.C.

The CCGS Vladykov and its sister vessels will conduct scientific research in the Newfoundland and Labrador region. Secondary missions include search and rescue, environmental response and the support of marine programs for other government agencies.

The vessel is named after the internationally known ichthyologist, the late Professor Vadim Dimitrievitch Vladykov, who contributed significantly to the study of fish biology in Canada.

The CCGS Vladykov hull form incorporates features of the very successful Robert Allan Ltd. RAstar Escort Tugs – a unique class of ASD tugs designed with a sponsoned hull form. This form has been proven in both model and full-scale testing to provide significantly enhanced seakeeping performance. The motions and accelerations are less than half those of comparable sized wall sided “standard” hulls. These features combined with excellent maneuverability allow the vessel to maintain station and continue conducting scientific operations in much higher sea states than previously possible with this relatively small size and type of vessel.

Particulars of the CCGS Vladykov are:

Length overall 25.0 m (excluding fenders)
Beam, molded 9.2 m
Depth, molded (hull) 3.8 m
Navigational draft (DWL) 3.6 m

The vessel is classed by Bureau Veritas with the following notation: 1 + HULL . MACH, Special Service/Research Vessel, ICE, Coastal Area

Tank capacities are as follows:

Fuel Oil:41.2 cu.m
Fresh Water 6.2 cu.m
Lube Oil 0.3 cu.m
Sludge 0.7 cu.m
Oily Water 2.3 cu.m
Salt Water Ballast 18.0 cu.m
Sewage 2.0 cu.m
Gray Water7.0 cu.m

On trials, CCGS Vladykov met or exceeded all performance expectations, achieving a free running speed of over 10.5 knots.

Main propulsion comprises a pair of CAT C18 ACERT diesel engines, each producing 357 kW at 1800 rpm. Each engine drives a 1,350 mm diameter propeller in a Rice triple rudder/nozzle configuration, via a Twin Disc MGX516 reduction gearbox. Rounding out the machinery package is a Jastram BU20F bow thruster, giving the vessel outstanding station keeping and maneuverability.

The electrical plant comprises two CAT C6.6 diesel gen-sets for ship-service use, and one CAT C4.4 diesel genset in a sound proof enclosure for harbour use.

The vessel has been outfitted to the highest standards for a complement of up to 11 people, with space for additional science personnel on day trips. The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all-round visibility, and incorporates a dedicated side control station providing exceptional visibility to both the side and aft deck working areas.

The deck machinery comprises two trawl winches, a CTD winch, an anchor winch and trawl net drum all supplied by Hawboldt Industries. A 5-tonne A frame, 18 tm crane and numerous other small auxiliary winches allow the vessel to launch and recover a wide array of research equipment as required by the scientific mission.

A scientific sensor suite, including echo sounders, multi-beam sonar and a trawl monitoring system, enables the vessel to gather relevant fisheries data to be processed in the vessel’s wet and dry labs. Concurrently, an RD Instruments ADCP, Tracklink acoustic underwater positioning system and a deployable CTD rosette facilitate the collection of a wide array of other oceanographic data.