CCGS Terry Fox icebreaker

The 1983-built CCGS Terry Fox is a Canadian Arctic icebreaker. "CCGS" stands for "Canadian Coast Guard Ship." The vessel, also classified as an Anchor Handling Vessel, began operations for the Canadian Coast Guard in 1991 and officially changed ownership from BeauDril Ltd to the CCG in 1993.

Currently, the ship is assigned to and homeported at the CCG Base Southside in St Johns (Newfoundland Island), serving the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Note: CCGS Terry Fox is scheduled for decommissioning in 2032, two years after the newbuild CCGS John G Diefenbaker enters service with the Canadian Coast Guard. Originally slated for retirement in 2020, plans were revised to extend the vessel’s service life through 2032. To support this extension, the ship will undergo an 18-month drydock refit and modernization between 2023 and 2025.

The heavy icebreaker Terry Fox was designed to escort oil tankers through Canadian Arctic waters.

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

This class of icebreakers is categorized as "heavy tugs" (supply vessels). In addition to escort duties, they support offshore oil rigs in ice-covered waters. The ship's spoon-shaped bow allows her to ride up on packed ice and break it. She is certified as "Arctic Class 4," meaning she can operate in ice up to 1.8 m (6 ft) thick.

CCGS Terry Fox’s operational program includes deployments in the Gulf of St Lawrence during winter and in the eastern Canadian Arctic during summer. Previously, she was stationed at the CCG Base in Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) until 2008. (Note: Earlier plans for decommissioning in 2021–2022 following the commissioning of CCGS John G Diefenbaker have been updated.)

CCGS Terry Fox icebreaker vessel details

The Terry Fox is a sistership of the Russia-owned icebreaker Vladimir Ignatyuk (formerly Arctic Kalvik).

The vessel features one dining room and a sauna. She does not have a swimming pool, elevator, or helipad.

• Max draught: 8.3 m (27 ft)
• Deadweight tonnage (DWT): 2,113 tons
• Displacement: 7,100 tons (7,200 tons when fully loaded)
• Radars: 2x "Raccal", 1x "Furuno 1411 Mk II" (color)
• Range (fuel): 3,560 km (2,210 mi)
• Endurance (supplies): 58 days
• Ice class: Arctic 4
• Icebreaking capacity: 1.2 m (4 ft) at a speed of 3 kn / 5.5 kph / 3.5 mph
• Diesel fuel storage: 1,920 m³ (67,770 ft³)

The powerplant consists of four Stork-Werkspoor diesel engines (model 8TM410) driving two shafts, with a total output of 17.3 MV (23,200 hp). Electrical power is provided by two "Caterpillar 3512" diesel generators and one backup "Caterpillar 3406" generator.

The propulsion system includes two controllable pitch propellers and two thrusters (one bow, one stern).

The vessel is equipped with a tow rope measuring 1.5 km (0.93 mi).

The ship operates with a crew of 24, including 10 officers.

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

Note: In areas with poor AIS coverage, it may be impossible to track the vessel’s current location. For a complete list of icebreakers and icebreaking research ships, refer to the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub, where all fleets and operating states are listed.