Canadian Coast Guard Adds First Large Great Lakes Vessel in More Than 30 Years

The Canadian Coast Guard has officially welcomed the CCGS Judy LaMarsh into its fleet, marking the first addition of a large vessel to its Great Lakes operations in more than three decades.

Based in Prescott, Ontario, the ship will support icebreaking and buoy tending across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in Ontario and Quebec.

The Coast Guard said the additional capacity is intended to strengthen year-round operations across one of Canada’s busiest maritime regions, where keeping shipping lanes open through winter is critical to commercial traffic and communities on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.

“The Great Lakes