The CCGS 'Vladykov' is the first of three new near-shore fisheries research vessels to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard.
Commissioned in August 2012, the vessel was constructed at Meridien Maritime in Matane, Quebec, to a design developed by Robert Allan of Vancouver, British Columbia.
The 25 metre CCGS 'Vladykov' and its sister vessels will conduct scientific research in the Newfoundland and Labrador region. Secondary missions include search and rescue, environmental response and the support of marine programs for other government agencies.
The vessel is named after the internationally known ichthyologist, the late Professor Vadim Dimitrievitch Vladykov. Professor Vladykov contributed significantly to the study of fish biology in Canada.
The CCGS 'Vladykov' hull form incorporates features of the successful Robert Allan RAstar-series of escort tugs – a unique class of ASD tugs designed with a sponsoned hull form. According to Robert Allan: "This form has been proved in both model and full-scale testing to provide significantly enhanced seakeeping performance. The motions and accelerations are less than half those of comparable sized wall-sided "standard" hulls.
"These features, combined with excellent manoeuvrability, allows the vessel to maintain station and continue conducting scientific operations in much higher sea states than previously possible with this relatively small size and type of vessel."
On trials, CCGS 'Vladykov' met or exceeded all performance expectations, achieving a free running speed of over 10.5 knots.
Main propulsion comprises a pair of CAT C18 ACERT diesel engines, each producing 357kW at 1800 rpm. Each engine drives a 1,350mm diameter propeller in a Rice triple rudder/nozzle configuration via a Twin Disc MGX516 reduction gearbox. Rounding out the machinery package is a Jastram BU20F bow thruster, giving the vessel "outstanding" station keeping and manoeuvrability. The electrical plant comprises two CAT C6.6 diesel gen-sets for ship-service use, and one CAT C4.4 diesel gen-set in a sound proof enclosure for harbour use.
The vessel has been outfitted to the highest standards for a complement of up to 11 people, with space for additional science personnel on day trips. The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all-round visibility, and incorporates a dedicated side control station providing exceptional visibility to both the side and aft deck working areas.
The deck machinery comprises two trawl winches, a CTD winch, an anchor winch and trawl net drum all supplied by Hawboldt Industries. A 5-tonne A frame, 18Tm crane and numerous other small auxiliary winches allow the vessel to launch and recover a wide array of research equipment as required by the scientific mission.
A scientific sensor suite, including echo sounders, multi-beam sonar and a trawl monitoring system enable the vessel to gather relevant fisheries data to be processed in the vessel's wet and dry labs. Concurrently, an RD Instruments ADCP, Tracklink acoustic underwater positioning system and a deployable CTD rosette facilitate the collection of a wide array of other oceanographic data.
