Canada’s New Patrol Vessel Christened

Entry into service of Canadian Coast Guard's new mid-shore patrol vessel, the CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., was inaugurated by The Honorable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Mainly used as part of a joint program with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the patrol vessel enhances security and safety along the St. Lawrence River, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

With a capacity of up to 14 crew members, including five RCMP officers, her endurance at sea is 14 days on a course of 2,000 nautical miles. While on missions, the CCG is responsible for vessel operations and the RCMP is responsible for all enforcement activities.

Based in Québec, this vessel is equipped with two rigid hull inflatable boats for marine security response, as well as a Zodiac, which will be used for search and rescue operations.

CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C. is the second of nine Hero Class vessels to join the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. It was named in honor of Corporal Joseph-Thomas Kaeble, member of the Royal 22nd Regiment, was the first French Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross (V.C.), the highest decoration for British and Commonwealth forces.

"On the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the creation of the Royal 22e Régiment, our government is proud to recognize the courage and sacrifice of Corporal Joseph-Thomas Kaeble, who died in combat in 1918,” Lebel said. “This new mid-shore patrol vessel named in honor of Corporal Kaeble will serve as a reminder of this important piece of our history."

Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers, veterans and police officers as well as employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. By naming these vessels after Canadian heroes, the Government of Canada hopes to encourage further generations to learn about Canadian history, culture and geography.

Economic Action Plan 2012 provided $5.2 billion to renew the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet. This builds on $1.6 billion in fleet renewal investments committed over the previous seven years.

"These unprecedented investments from our government to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet are making our waters safer, particularly the St. Lawrence,” Shea said. “The CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C. will primarily be used to enhance national security, respond to potential threats and enforce regulations related to federal on-water requirements."

Since 2009, the Government of Canada has provided the Coast Guard with a number of new, high-performance vessels, including nine Hero Class mid-shore patrol vessels (five of which are assigned to the Central and Arctic fleet: CCGS Private Robertson V.C., CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., CCGS Constable Carrière and CCGS A. Leblanc), ACV CCGS Mamilossa, five search-and-rescue vessels, two specialty vessels, three near-shore fishery research vessels, 30 environmental barges and 60 small craft.