A Canadian Coast Guard vessel, supported members of the RCN during Exercise Waking Giant in October of 2023 (Adam Riley / Acadia Broadcasting)
A recent incident in the Bay of Fundy has left a Canadian Coast Guard ship, the CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., temporarily out of service. Last month, while conducting enforcement activities for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in the Minas Basin, the vessel experienced an emergency engine shutdown due to a cylinder lining failure on the starboard main engine.
The cylinder lining, crucial for the piston’s smooth movement within the engine, suffered a malfunction, leading to the release of engine coolant and metal shavings into a collection container beneath the engine, which normally holds oil for lubrication.
A statement from the Canadian Coast Guard indicated, “The cause of the failure is unknown at this time; however, work is ongoing to determine the cause. The repair options and plan are under development.”
Fortunately, the breakdown occurred just before the scheduled refit of the vessel, CCGS Corporal Teather. The vessel was originally slated for maintenance from Nov. 1 to Dec. 12. However, the unforeseen cylinder failure may impact the refit timeline.
Due to the engine failure, CCGS Corporal Teather came out of service five days earlier than planned. In response, CCGS Private Robertson, another mid-shore patrol vessel based in Dartmouth, N.S., has been assigned to carry out patrols in the interim.
“The return to service date for Teather and a cost estimate for the repair are unknown at this time,” added the Coast Guard statement.
This incident is not the first time a mechanical issue has disrupted the operations of a Nova Scotia-based mid-shore patrol ship. CCGS Peddle, for instance, faced prolonged immobilization over the last three years due to refits, mishaps, part failures, and supply chain delays, following the failure of one of its two engines in 2020.
The Canadian Coast Guard is actively addressing the situation, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the engine failure and to develop a comprehensive repair plan. Meanwhile, the coastal waters around Nova Scotia continue to be monitored with the deployment of alternative patrol vessels to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the region’s fisheries.
