Category Archives: CCGS

CCGS Arctic Helicopter Crash Updates

On September 9, 2013, the CCG helicopter, operating from the CCGS Amundsen on an ice reconnaissance mission in the M’Clure Strait north of Banks Island, Northwest Territories, was involved in an accident and sank. None of the three persons on board the helicopter survived.
The TSB investigation team will arrive in Resolute, Nunavut today where they will meet with CCG and ArcticNet personnel to begin the search and recovery efforts aboard two CCG vessels.

The three men who died after a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Arctic Sept. 9 were killed by “cold water immersion,” Cathy Menard, chief coroner of the Northwest Territories, said Sept. 17.

Autopsies conducted in Edmonton Sept. 16 showed the men suffered no fatal injuries, suggesting they survived the crash of their helicopter, only to die from the effects of the frigid water — this would have led to hypothermia, a lethal lowering of their body temperature, likely within about one hour.

Marc Thibault, commanding officer of the CCGS Amundsen, Daniel Dubé, the helicopter pilot, and Klaus Hochheim, a scientist affiliated with the University of Manitoba, all died when the helicopter from the Amundsen crashed while they were conducting a routine ice observation tour.

The three were found in the water wearing survival suits, when the Amundsen arrived on the scene.
But while these suits can assist in surviving cold-shock and swim failure — which can result when a person hits the icy water, how long a person can survive in cold water primarily depends on the water’s temperature, exposure time, and the thermal insulation of the protective clothing.

The helicopter now lies under about 420 metres of sea water. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is working to recover the CCG Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo-105 helicopter The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into this accident is ongoing.

 The CCGS Henry Larsen is immediately tasked with locating the helicopter and providing icebreaking and technical assistance. The CCGS Amundsen will provide search and recovery assistance, and will transport the technical equipment and personnel required to locate and recover the helicopter.

“While there are logistical challenges in planning a recovery mission in the harsh Arctic at this time of year,” said Marc Grégoire, Commissioner of the CCG, “We will make every reasonable effort to recover the helicopter as soon as possible, while ensuring the safety of all personnel involved in this mission.”

UPDATE 09/24/2013

 The sunken Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) helicopter has been located by ArcticNet’s Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) in the Arctic.  A team consisting of the CCG, ArcticNet and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is working to recover it.

The ice and weather conditions will continue to present a significant challenge to the recovery operation. While the aim is to recover the helicopter as quickly as possible, ensuring the safety of the personnel and vessels involved in this operations is a first priority.

Images and Text from TSB of Canada

UPDATE 09/26 – Helicopter Sucessfully recovered.

The sunken Canadian Coast Guard helicopter, which crashed on 9 September 2013, has been successfully recovered from the Arctic Ocean.A team consisting of the Canadian Coast Guard’s CCGS Amundsen and CCGS Henry Larsen, ArcticNet and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has been working to recover the helicopter since its discovery on Monday afternoon.

Thanks to the technical expertise of the Canadian Coast Guard crew, to ArcticNet, and to the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility pilots who operated the Amundsen’s remotely-operated vehicle, the wreckage was raised to the surface of the water yesterday where it was safely lifted onto the deck of the Amundsen and then transferred to the Larsen.

While in transit to Resolute, Nunavut, further plans are being made to transport the wreckage to a location where the TSB can conduct its full investigation.The TSB is grateful for the great collaboration of the Canadian Coast Guard and ArcticNet officials during this difficult operation and hope the successful recovery operation may contribute important information to the ongoing investigation.

 Recovery photos from TSB.

Earl Grey Hits Dock

I Have received word that that CCGS Earl Gray Allied with the dock at BIO Yesterday.
Apparently the Bow Has some damage.

UPDATE: looks like the Dock took the worst of it. There is a small dent on the Bow, and a long ed streak on the dock and 2 impact points.

Hero Class #8 In The Hall

 Hero #8 (Second to last) can be seen being assembled in the Assembly hall. She looks to be close to receiving her paint, however the yard lacks space in the lay down area until Hero #6 CCGS Corporal McLaren MMV is launched.


Hero Class #7 CCGS A. LeBlanc  can be seen on the left in the above photo, and after painting, remained outside the shop for continued work. once the McLaren is launched, presumably the Leblanc will be rolled back and #8 will be painted.

CGGS Helicopter Crash in Arctic yesterday.

There are reports that a Coast Guard Helicopter Crashed in the Arctic Monday night, Killing 3 persons on board.

More Details as they are known.

The CCGS is Currently looking to replace its fleet of Helicopters. The Halifax Based vessel CCGS Sir Wilfred Laurier is currently working in the Arctic assisting with Parks Canada’s search for the Franklin expedition ships  HMS Terror and HMS Erebus.

UPDATE: CBC Reports the Crash occurred in the McClure Straight at 6pm Mountain time (9pm Atlatntic). The Helicopter was Operating with the CCGS Amundsen, and crashed on its return to the ship after conducting an ice patrol. 

UPDATE 2 also Via CBC
, the coast guard announced the names of the deceased:

  • Marc Thibault, commanding officer of the CCGS Amundsen.
  • Daniel Dubé, helicopter pilot.
  • Klaus Hochheim, an Arctic scientist affiliated with the University of Manitoba.

The Helicopter was a Messerschmitt BO 105S. the Amundsen had just performed a full crew change on the 5th.

Replacing Preserver and Protectur – Part 2.

For Part one, See Replacing Preserver and Protector

In part one We looked at the the Joint Support Ship, and how we went from replacing AOR’s (Fleet Replenishment Oilers) to a command and control + AOR. And how that requirement evolved and de-volved bring us back to a more traditional AOR Design.On June 2 2012, The Government announced we would be building 2 of the Berlin Class, already in use by the German Navy, And we know from the NSPS process that Sea Span will be building the vessels.

Great  – So now we know what were building, and who is going to do it. Not so fast,  this is a government Procurement – it cant be that simple, and it isn’t. Seaspan is tied up, they also won the right to build the Coast Guards new Polar Icebreaker, the CCGS John Diefenbaker, the government must now decide who gets their aging ships replaced first, as Both the CCGS Louis St. Laurent and Preserver and Protector are well past their prime. All three vessels were commissioned in 1969/70 so they are all of the same vintage, and all have had major work done recently to keep them operating.

So who waits?

It would seem that building the heavy ice breaker first would make the most sense. Once steel cutting is done on it, and fabrication is well underway, then fabrication can begin on the 2 new AOR’s. it would be a longer wait for the the Icebreaker would the AOR’s go first, and worst case, we can borrow/make use of our Allies replenishment capability. The Americans heavy icebreaker program is in equally bad shape.

So when will they be replaced? Who knows. but we know what we are getting.

Incidentally, based on a briefing note it looks like the first NSPS Vessels will be the Offshore Fisheries research Vessels to be built by SeaSpan. the Build start is scheduled for 2014 with delivery in 2015.

Hero class #7 rolled out for painting



Hero Class #7 CCGS A. LeBlanc was rolled out this weekend for painting. After her, there are only 2 vessels remaining to be built.

CCGS A. LeBlanc, after Fishery Officer Agapit LeBlanc, of Bouctouche, New Brunswick. Mr. Leblanc joined the Canadian Fisheries and Marine Service in 1920. He was killed on October 20, 1926, while investigating illegal fishing vessels. His murder remains unsolved.

Updated Photo to be uncrappy Apologies for the crappy iPhone picture.