
Overview
CCGS Martha L. Black is the lead ship of her class of light icebreakers of the Canadian Coast Guard. The ship was built in 1986 in Vancouver, British Columbia by Versatile Pacific Shipyards Limited as part of the CG Program Vessels. The vessel was mainly designed as a high-endurance, multi-tasked boat. Most of her duties are along the St. Lawrence River and St. Lawrence Seaway as she is able to handle the ice thickness there.
Compliance
On 28 December 2025, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship "MARTHA L. BLACK", with 26 people on board, reported a fire in its fire detection panel while secured at Les Méchins, QC. The fire was extinguished by the wheelhouse crew, and a replacement electronic card was ordered.
On 23 August 2025, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship "MARTHA L. BLACK", during dead ship towing operation's conducted by the tugs "GRANDE BAIE" and "EPINETTE II", reported having struck the wharf in Les Méchins, QC. The vessel was secured and the crew assessed minor damages to both the stern and bow.
On 10 February 2023, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship "MARTHA L. BLACK" reported experiencing a main engine cooling issue while moored in Trois-Rivières, QC. The crew repaired the vessel alongside.
On 17 January 2022, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship "MARTHA L. BLACK" reported having sustained an electrical fire in the wheelhouse ceiling, 8 nautical miles WNW of Cacouna, QC. The crew members were able to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.
On 08 April 2020, the Canadian Coast Guard vessel "MARTHA L. BLACK" experienced a problem with its starboard main engine, while at anchor off Saint-Nicolas, QC. The crew carried out the repairs and the vessel later resumed its voyage.
On 10 June 2019, the Canadian Coast Guard ship "MARTHA L. BLACK" reported that one of its two steering gear units was not operational 2.5 nautical miles ESE of Saint-Irénée, QC. The vessel resumed its voyage using the other steering gear unit.
On 06 January 2019, the Canadian Coast Guard vessel "MARTHA L. BLACK" reported a starboard main propulsion electric motor malfunction while icebreaking in the Matane harbour, QC. The crew carried out repairs.
On 23 August 2017, the Coast Guard service ship "MARTHA L. BLACK" reported a total loss of its propulsion and electricity near Saint-François-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, QC.
Recorded marine occurrences naming this vessel.
Commercial

Visual Archive