CCGS Cygnus

Built in 1982 in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador – and modernized in 1998/1999 – the CCGS Cygnus is used for fisheries patrol on the Grand Banks in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area. The Cygnus is also used for search and rescue operations on the east coast of the province, and on the Grand Banks.

This multi-tasked offshore fishery patrol vessel is named after a constellation in the northern hemisphere, Cygnus, or the Swan, which is also sometimes called the Northern Cross. In Greek myth, Cygnus is the son of Poseidon, god of the seas.

The Cygnus carries an extensive quantity of search and rescue equipment enabling it to handle a wide range of emergencies. There is a cargo hold with a large volume carrying capacity and it carries oil spill response equipment in the event of an oil spill, as well as damage control equipment. The vessel is also equipped with a sick bay for any emergency medical needs of the crew or rescued individuals.

The diesel-powered Cygnus can carry up to 400,000 litres of fuel enabling the vessel to remain at sea for up to 40 days at a time. The moderate size, quick speed, and advanced navigational and communications equipment enable the vessel to respond very well to a wide range of tasks.

The Cygnus has two fixed cranes, net-hauling equipment, a crab pot hauler, a bow thruster, one 32-person lifeboat and two 25-person liferafts. It carries a fast rescue craft (FRC), which is equipped with radar, a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, and a VHF radio, and can be rapidly deployed and recovered through the use of quick-launch and recovery davits. It also carries a second smaller FRC that can be launched with the use of a crane and used in case of emergency.

In addition, the vessel has two radars equipped with automatic radar plotting aids; two Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) units; a gyro compass; direction finders; echo sounders; and a speed log. It has two electronic charting systems and carries a fully-functioning Global Maritime Distress Safety System for emergency communications. It also has various methods of communication while at sea, including Very High Frequency (VHF), Medium Frequency (MF), and High Frequency (HF) radios, and satellite communications systems.

The vessel has a crew of 19. And, at all times, at least one crewmember on board is a rescue specialist. As well, while conducting NAFO operations, the vessel carries two Fisheries and Oceans Canada NAFO inspectors.

Vessel Particulars

¹Draft: How deep the vessel sits in the water.
²Displacement: Weight of vessel.