Cape-class motor lifeboat explained

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) maintains a fleet of 14.6m (47.9feet) Cape-class motor lifeboats[1] based on a motor lifeboat design used by the United States Coast Guard. In September 2009 the CCG announced plans to add five new lifeboats, bringing the total number of Cape-class lifeboats to 36.

The vessels are staffed by a crew of four, of which at least one is a rescue specialist.[2] [3] [4] In spite of its name, the CCGS Cape Roger is a larger patrol vessel, not a Cape-class lifeboat. The CCG also maintains some larger motor lifeboats based on Arun-class lifeboats designed in the United Kingdom. In 2021 a contract was awarded to Ocean Pacific Marine to upgrade the class over a 7 year period.[5]

Design

Cape-class motor lifeboats have displacements of 33.79 GT, total lengths of 47feet and beams of .[6] Constructed from marine-grade aluminium, ships have draughts of 4feet. They contain two Caterpillar 3196 diesel engines providing a combined 900shp. They have two NaNinches counter-rotating, four-blade propellers. Each ship's complement is four crew members and 5 passengers.[6]

The lifeboats have a maximum speed of 25kn and a cruising speed of . Cape-class lifeboats have fuel capacities of 1560l and an designed operational range of 200nmi when cruising.[6] They are capable of operating in sustained wind speeds of and wave heights of . They can tow ships with displacements of up to 150t and can withstand 60kn winds and 20feet-high breaking waves. These ships must meet stringent stability requirements.[6]

Communication options include Raytheon 152 HF-SSB and Motorola Spectra 9000 VHF50W radios, and a Raytheon RAY 430 loudhailer system.[6] The lifeboats also support the Simrad TD-L1550 VHF-FM radio direction finder. Raytheon provides a number of other electronic systems for the lifeboats, including the RAYCHART 620, the ST 30 heading indicator and ST 50 depth indicator, the NAV 398 global positioning system, a RAYPILOT 650 autopilot system, and either the R41X AN or SPS-69 radar systems[6]

Class list and distribution

cape class Positions as of 26 October 2009[7]
RegionShipPortNotes
Newfoundland and LabradorCape FoxLark Harbour, NL
Cape NormanPort Au Choix, NL
MaritimesCap BretonShippegan, NB
Cape SprySouris, PE
Cap NordSummerside, PE
QuebecCap d'EspoirTadoussac, QC
Cap de RabastHavre-Saint-Pierre, QC
Cap RozierRivière-au-Renard, QC
Cap TourmenteQuebec, QC
Cap PercéMont-Joli, QCPrep work for operational status at new station at Kegaska, QC
Central and ArcticCape ChaillonThunder Bay, ON
Cape CommodoreTobermory, ON
Cape DiscoveryGoderich, ON
Cape DundasAmherstburg, ON
Cape HearneKingston, ON
Thunder CapePort Dover, ON
Cape MercyMeaford, ON
Cape ProvidenceBurlington, ONSpare
Cape LambtonBurlington, ONSpare
Cape StormPort Weller, ON
Cape RescueCobourg, ON
PacificCape AnnTofino, BC
Cape CockburnFrench Creek, BC
Cape FarewellBella Bella, BC
Cape NadenGanges, BC
Cape McKayBamfield, BC
Cape MudgeSandspit, BC
Cape SutilPort Hardy, BC
Cape CalvertVictoria, BC
Cape CautionPowell River, BC
Cape PalmerstonCampbell River, BC
Cape KuperPatricia Bay, BCSpare
Cape St-JamesPatricia Bay, BCSpare

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: New vessels ordered for Canadian Coast Guard . 2009-09-03 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20090906095700/http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIX/2009sep00032.html . 6 September 2009 . dead . dmy-all.
  2. News: Vessels, Aircraft and Hovercraft: CCGC Cape Sutil. Canadian Coast Guard. 2007-11-07. 2008-03-04.
  3. Web site: CCG Cape Sutil . . 26 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726072240/http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Fleet/Vessel_pdf?id=1089&no_build=1 . dead . dmy-all.
  4. News: COAST GUARD MOTOR LIFEBOAT CCGC SUTIL CHRISTENED TODAY IN PORT HARDY, BC. https://web.archive.org/web/20031019234652/http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/release/p-releas/2000/nr0097_e.htm. 19 October 2003. Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 1 August 2000. 2008-03-04.
  5. Web site: Campbell River company awarded $23.4 million federal contract to renew Coast Guard motorboats. 16 December 2021.
  6. Web site: Motor Life Boat 47-Foot MLB: International Affairs (CG-DCO-I). United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. 1 July 2015. 19 August 2015.
  7. News: CCG lifeboats . . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716005146/http://sarcentral.com/sarfor/index.php?topic=351.0 . 16 July 2011 . dead . dmy-all.

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