CCGS Terry Fox icebreaker

The 1983-built CCGS Terry Fox is a Canadian Arctic icebreaker. "CCGS" stands for "Canadian Coast Guard ship". The icebreaking vessel (also classified as Anchor Handling Vessel) was commissioned by/started operations for the Canadian Coast Guard in 1991 and changed ownership (from BeauDril Ltd to CCGS) in 1993.

Currently, the ship is assigned to/homeported in CCG Base Southside in St Johns (Newfoundland Island) to serve Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador province.

Note: CCGS Terry Fox is currently scheduled for decommissioning in 2032, two years after the newbuild CCGS John G Diefenbaker starts operations for the Canadian Coast Guard. The ship was initially slated for decommissioning in 2020, but these plans were revised/postponed and instead, the icebreaker will undergo an 18-month drydock refit/modernization (2023-2025) to extend its service life through 2032.

The heavy icebreaker Terry Fox was designed to serve as an escort to oil tankers through the Canadian Arctic territories.

The vessel (IMO number 8127799) is currently Canada-flagged (MMSI 316122000) and registered in Vancouver BC.

This class of icebreakers is classified as a "heavy tug" (supply vessel). Besides escorting ships, they also support offshore oil rigs in ice-rich waters. The ship's bow is spoon-shaped, allowing it to ride up on packed ice in order to break it. The icebreaker is "Arctic Class 4" certified, which means ice capacity up to 1,8 m (6 ft).

CCGS Terry Fox icebreaker itinerary program includes operations in Gulf of St Lawrence (during winter) and in the eastern Canadian Arctic territories (during summer). The ship's previous assignment was at CCG Base Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) until 2008. The ship will be decommissioned in 2021-2022, right after the commissioning of the new CCGS John G Diefenbaker (2021-2022).

CCGS Terry Fox icebreaker vessel details

The Terry Fox ship is of the same design as (sistership to) the Russia-owned icebreaker Vladimir Ignatyuk (Arctic Kalvik).

The vessel has 1 dining room, Sauna, no swimming pool, no elevator, no helipad (helicopter deck).

• Max Draught: 8,3 m (27 ft)
• DWT Deadweight tonnage: 2113 tons
• Displacement tonnage: 7100 tons (7200 tons when fully loaded)
• Radars: 2x "Raccal ", 1x "Furuno 1411 Mk II" (color)
• Range (fuel): 3560 km (2210 mi)
• Endurance (supplies): 58 days
• Ice-class: Arctic 4
• ice-breaking capacity: 1,2 m (4 ft) at speed 3 Kn / 5,5 kph / 3,5 mph
• Diesel fuel storage: 1920 m3 (67,770 ft3)

The powerplant is based on 4x Stork-Werkspoor diesel engines (model 8TM410) driving 2 shafts - total output 17,3MV, (23200 hp). Electric power is provided by two "Caterpillar 3512" diesel generators plus one "Caterpillar 3406" backup generator.

The propulsion system is based on two controllable pitch propellers and two thrusters (1 bow, 1 stern).

The icebreaker carries a tow rope (length 1,5 km / 0,93 mi).

Of the 24 crew, 10 are officers.

For more information (including service history) see the ship's Wiki section.

Note: In the case of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel's current location will be impossible. You can see CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and ice-breaking research ships in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All states and their fleets are listed there.