CCGS Martha L Black
Source: Canadian Coast Guard

The CCGS Martha L Black is known for her versatility, that allows her to offer marine support to the regional programs. Her primary mission as a buoy tender is to lay, recover and service buoys using her heavy lifting boom, whose maximum lifting capacity is 20 tons. She also carries out fixed aids maintenance and reconstruction operations.

The vessel's AC/AC propulsion system with cycloconverter and special bow enable her to conduct icebreaking and ship escort operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, as well as in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The Martha L Black was overhauled a few years ago to ensure that she can effectively carry out scientific missions in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. As well, she is regularly assigned to search and rescue operations because of her manoeuvrability.

The vessel is also assigned to pollution response operations and fishing monitoring activities. She is equipped with a helicopter deck. Although the Martha L Black is based in Québec, she can be deployed anywhere like all other Coast Guard vessels.

Characteristics

Type

Light icebreaker - Major buoy tender

Length

83 m

Breadth

16,2 m

Draft

6 m

Full charge displacement

5 028,8 tm

Power

5 250 kW

Maximum speed

15,1 knots

Cruising speed

13 knots

Core crew

25

Builder

Versatile Pacific Shipyards Inc, C.-B.

Year built

1986