CCGS George R. Pearkes

CCGS George R. Pearkes[lower-alpha 1] is a Martha L. Black-class light icebreaker and buoy support vessel in the Canadian Coast Guard. Named for Victoria Cross-winner George Pearkes, the ship entered service in 1986. Initially assigned to Pacific region, the vessel transferred to the Quebec region. George R. Pearkes was assigned to her current deployment, the Newfoundland and Labrador region in 2004.

CCGS George. R. Pearkes and CCGS Leonard J. Cowley in St. John's, August 2008.
History
Canada
Name:	George R. Pearkes
Namesake:	George Pearkes
Operator:	Canadian Coast Guard
Port of registry:	Ottawa, Ontario
Builder:	Versatile Pacific Shipyards Limited, Vancouver
Yard number:	555
Launched:	30 November 1985
Commissioned:	17 April 1986
In service:	1986–present
Homeport:	CCG Base St. John's (Newfoundland and Labrador Region)
Identification:	CGCX IMO number: 8320444
Status:	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type:	Martha L. Black-class light icebreaker and buoy tender
Tonnage:	3,809.1 GT 1,517.3 NT
Displacement:	4,662 long tons (4,737 t) full load
Length:	83 m (272 ft 4 in)
Beam:	16.2 m (53 ft 2 in)
Draught:	6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Ice class:	CASPPR Arctic Class 2
Propulsion:	Diesel electric – 3 Alco 251F-16V
Speed:	15 knots (28 km/h)
Range:	14,500 nmi (26,900 km) at 11 knots (20 km/h)
Endurance:	150 days
Boats & landing craft carried:	1 × self-propelled barge
Complement:	25
Sensors and processing systems:	1 × Racal Decca Bridgemaster navigational radar (I band)
Aircraft carried:	1 × MBB Bo 105 helicopter
Aviation facilities:	Hangar and flight deck

Design and description

George R. Pearkes displaces 4,662 long tons (4,737 t) fully loaded with a 3,809.1 gross tonnage (GT) and a 1,517.3 net tonnage (NT). The ship is 83.0 metres (272 ft 4 in) long overall with a beam of 16.2 metres (53 ft 2 in) and a draught of 5.8 metres (19 ft 0 in).[1][2]

The vessel is powered by is propelled by two fixed-pitch propellers and bow thrusters powered by three Alco 251F diesel-electric engines creating 8,847 horsepower (6,597 kW) and three Canadian GE generators producing 6 megawatts of AC power driving two Canadian GE motors creating 7,040 horsepower (5,250 kW).[1][2] The ship is also equipped with one Caterpillar 3306 emergency generator. This gives the ship a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h). Capable of carrying 925 long tons (940 t) of diesel fuel, George R. Pearkes has a maximum range of 14,500 nautical miles (26,900 km) at a cruising speed of 11 knots (20 km/h) and can stay at sea for up to 150 days. The ship is certified as Arctic Class 2.[2]

The icebreaker is equipped with one Racal Decca Bridgemaster navigational radar operating on the I band. The vessel is equipped with a speedcrane capable of lifting up to 20 long tons (20 t) and a 980 m³ (35,000 cu ft) cargo hold.[1][3] The ship carries a self-propelled barge.[3] George R. Pearkes is equipped with a flight deck and a hangar that can house two light helicopters of the MBB Bo 105 or Bell 206L types.[2] However, the vessel is only allotted one helicopter.[1][2] The ship has a complement of 25, with 10 officers and 15 crew. George R. Pearkes has 26 additional berths.[2]

Service history

The ship was constructed by Versatile Pacific Shipyards Limited at their yard in North Vancouver, British Columbia with the yard number 555.[4] George R. Pearkes was launched on 30 November 1985 and entered service on 17 April 1986, the first active vessel in the class.[1][4] The ship is registered in Ottawa, Ontario, and homeported at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.[1][2]

The vessel was initially assigned to the Pacific region and then transferred to the Quebec region.[3][5] In 2004, George R. Pearkes deployed to the Newfoundland and Labrador region, based at St. John's. The vessel is used for buoy placement, retrieval and monitoring, scientific research, construction programs, search and rescue, icebreaking, and pollution control.[3] In December 2013, the ship was sent to recover oil from the sunken bulk carrier Manolis L which had sank in 1985 off the Change Islands.[6]

On 20 August 2015, the ship rescued four people and their boat after their engine had failed in Frobisher Bay, 50 nautical miles (93 km) from Iqaluit. Responding to the distress call on 19 August, drift ice threatened the rescue and the recovery of the boat and its occupants only took place the following morning on 20 August. George R. Pearkes returned them to Iqaluit.[7] In March 2016, Canadian Coast Guard trials with the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 took place aboard George R. Pearkes off the Atlantic coast of Canada.[8]

References

Notes

1. CCGS stands for Canadian Coast Guard Ship

Citations

1. Saunders 2004, p. 95.
2. "CCG Fleet: Vessel Details – George R. Pearkes". Canadian Coast Guard. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
3. "CCGS George R. Pearkes". Canadian Coast Guard. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
4. "George R.Pearkes (8320444)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
5. Maginley & Collin 2001, p. 176.
6. Pennell, Josh (24 December 2013). "Coast guard finds problem with work done on Manolis L." The Telegram. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
7. Ducharme, Steve (27 August 2015). "Iqaluit boaters, disabled craft ride home on Coast Guard ship". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
8. Jean, Grace (21 April 2016). "Schiebel's Camcopter supports Canadian Coast Guard's icebreaking operations in trials". janes.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2018.

Sources

• Maginley, Charles D. & Collin, Bernard (2001). The Ships of Canada's Marine Services. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-55125-070-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005. Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2623-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links