Sea trials begin for Canadian Coast Guard's newest ocean research ship

Canada's Seaspan Shipyards has begun conducting sea trials of a new research vessel slated for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Classed as an "offshore oceanographic science vessel" (OOSV), the future CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will measure 88 metres long and will accommodate up to 34 crewmembers and 26 Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists.

Over the next few weeks, the ship will be put through full-scale exercises on Canada's west coast by specialists from Seaspan, the Canadian Coast Guard and equipment suppliers to test the performance of key systems and assess the ship's seaworthiness.

Following delivery, the OOSV will be stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The future Naalak Nappaaluk will be equipped with a deck that can swap out different equipment modules based on mission requirements, a marine mammal observation station, an ocean sampling room, multiple laboratories, and equipment for collecting and analysing information to better understand ocean ecosystems.

The vessel can also support search and rescue operations and environmental response, when needed.

The OOSV is the first in a planned class of three that Seaspan is building for the Canadian Coast Guard.