Canadian Government Names Hero Class Coast Guard Vessels

The names of seven fallen Canadian heroes will live on in Canada's new class of mid-shore patrol vessels. These 43-metre vessels will support a crew of eight and carry up to six RCMP Officers or Fishery Officers. Top speed will be 25 knots. The ships will have a range of 2000 nautical miles and be able to stay at sea for two weeks before needing to reprovision.

Today, the Harper Government announced that seven new Hero Class Canadian Coast Guard vessels will be named in honour of fallen Canadian heroes. The announcement was made by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, together with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety.

“Our Government is proud to name these new Coast Guard vessels in honour of Canadian heroes who put their duty ahead of their own safety in service to our country,” said Minister Shea. “As proud Canadians, we must always remember those who have paid the greatest price for our safety, security and freedom.”

A total of nine new Hero Class mid-shore patrol vessels are being built by our government. In November 2010, our government announced that two of these new vessels would be named in honour of two fallen First World War soldiers, Corporal Joseph Kaeble, V.C., and Private James Peter Robertson, V.C.

The remaining seven Hero Class vessels will be named in honour of:

•Royal Canadian Mounted Police members Corporal Gordon Robert Teather, C.V., and Constable J.L. François Carrière;
•Canadian Coast Guard Chief Officer Gregory Paul Peddle, S.C., and Seaman Martin Charles, S.C., M.B.;
•Canadian Fisheries and Marine Service Fishery Officer Agapit LeBlanc; and
•Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, M.M.V., and Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, M.S.M., Canadian Forces members who served in Afghanistan.

With the exceptions of Corporal Gordon Robert Teather and Seaman Martin Charles, all individuals died in the line of duty.

By: Shelldrake