New Renders Of The Mid-Shore Multi-Mission Vessel Released By The Canadian Coast Guard

Noah Note

A minor one today, but one I thought many of you would appreciate. I know some of you were goping for more renders of the MSMM, and luckily we don't have to wait long! The CCG today put out a few new looks at the future MSMM on social media today.

I thought many of you would appreciate the additional angles and looks. Compared to the original render, this one is far more detailed and includes a number of interesting changes from the first.

Of course, as always, renders should always be taken with salt. They are not always accurate, nor are they always the most detailed. Things can easily be placeholders, or merely conceptual as nature. That's my little disclaimer.

Quickly though, let's do a recap of things: The Mid-Shore Multi-Mission (MSMM) vessels will replace the three mid-shore science vessels (Limnos, Otter Bay, Vector) while also filling the future gap in CCGs medium-sized utility fleet, as many of the current fleet are being replaced by much different, much larger vessels. Six are planned to be acquired in total.

The MSMM are expected to be 45 to 50m in length and a tonnage of < 1000MT. They will have a range of up to 3000nm and an endurance of up to 17 days. The MSMM will also be Ice-Strengthened with the class expected to be rated at minimum Ice Class-1C per DNV standards.

Ice Class 1C signifies that a vessel is designed and strengthened to navigate in light ice conditions, specifically characterized by first-year ice with a thickness of up to 0.6 meters. Per DNV standards, this classification confirms that the ship's hull, propeller, and steering gear are reinforced to withstand the thermal and mechanical stresses of ice interaction.

The MSMM will operate year-round within the Canadian waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. On the Atlantic Coast it will be limited to as far as 60° North latitude during the summer months. The majority of the missions will be carried out in the mid-shore range.

The primary tasks for the MSMM fleet will include supporting Ecosystem and Marine Science, Hydrographic Surveys, supporting Aids to Navigation, and helping support SAR activities.

The fleet will also have several secondary tasks on top of these including Light Icebreaking, Maritime Security activities, Conservation and Protection Enforcement, Environmental Response, supporting the Vessels of Concern program, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

Now that you're caught up we can get into the vessel itself. The most notable change of course is the prominent move away from the more modern, heavily faceted bridge found in a lot of modern Euro-designs, especially Vanguard, to a more traditional, blocky superstructure and forward-leaning bridge that is better suited to the enviornment we expect MSMM to operate in. Much more pronounced flare, more prominent fendering lol. Also easier and cheaper to construct but whose asking…

The enclosed sensor mast has been replaced as well here by the typical lattice mast found on other CCG vessels, if that was ever a shock. This new render also includes a few small details included, such as the twin Radomes and an updated Exhaust Stack.

Moving to the Aft, we have the addition of an A-Frame rated with an SWL at 5000 KG and a centerline winch just behind it. The previous crane has been replaced with a articulated knuckle-boom crane and moved down to the Aft deck. Take note also of the new blue davit positioned at the stern for the deployment of things like CTD Rosettes, Sensors, and ROV.

Overall very different from the first concept, something I did warn was likely to happen, however also still the same in concept. It is not radically different. It was always natural that the first concepts would have some profound changes.

These new renderings tske the concept from the sleek, european origins of Vanguard and creates in it something undoubtedly CCG. A lot of these are merely details that the early concept, as they do, leave out. That's just the nature of these kinds of renderings.

It is a bit weird, admittedly. The design definetly will take some getting used to for some, however, I am happy to see something that is far more likely to look like what the final vessel we will get is. Funny enough, with a bit of work and such she could have made an excellent Kingston replacement.