Active

CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert

IMO: 5329566

Overview

About This Vessel

CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert is a former Canadian Coast Guard light icebreaker and buoy tender that was later sold to a private owner and renamed Polar Prince. The ship entered service with the Department of Transport Marine Service in 1959 and transferred to the newly created Canadian Coast Guard in 1962, active until 2001. The icebreaker was sold to private interests in Newfoundland and renamed Polar Prince, sitting mostly idle until resold in 2009 to GTX Technology Canada Limited for service in the Arctic Ocean as a commercial icebreaker. In 2017, the vessel was temporarily rechristened Canada C3 and used for a high-profile voyage around Canada's three maritime coasts as part of the nation's 150th anniversary. In November 2021, the ship was purchased by Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Service Ltd, a joint venture between Horizon Maritime and the Miawpukek First Nation and chartered for educational and research expedition use.

Compliance

Safety Record

Marine casualties8

Personnel CasualtyCritical
Jun 18, 2023Cape Race, Outside Provincial Boundaries5 deaths
On 18 June 2023, the Canadian-flagged cargo vessel "POLAR PRINCE" was providing surface support to the submersible "TITAN" when it lost contact with the submersible approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after the submersible began its descent. Both vessels were at the Titanic wreck site, 372 nautical miles south-southeast of Cape Race, NL. There were 5 people on the "TITAN" and 41 people on the "POLAR PRINCE". On 22 June 2023, the United States Coast Guard confirmed that debris found on the ocean floor near the Titanic wreck site consisted of pieces of the missing submersible. All 5 people on the "TITAN" were fatally injured.
CollisionModerate
May 17, 2019In Lunenburg Harbour, NS., NOVA SCOTIA (NS)
On 17 May 2019, the fishing vessel "MAUDE ADAMS", with 27 people on board, struck the moored research vessel "POLAR PRINCE" and the dock while berthing in Lunenburg, NS. Both vessels and the dock sustained minor damage. There were no injuries or pollution reported.
Machinery FailureMinor
Jul 20, 2012COWICHAN BAY, BC, BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 20 July 2012, the M/V "POLAR PRINCE" experienced a complete blackout in Cowichan Bay, B.C. The vessel anchored and effected repairs.
CollisionSerious
Dec 21, 2009ST. JOHN'S, NL
On 21 December 2009, the M/V "POLAR PRINCE" parted its stern lines and subsequently struck several containers and the F/V "R.O. VENTURE" at Pier 5, St. John's, Newfoundland.
CollisionSerious
Sep 7, 2001ST JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR (NL)
While bearthing at the Coast Guard base, a trawler, bearthing at the Nova dock, struck the port side of the vessel. No serious damage to the vessel, only a slight exchange of paint.
Machinery FailureMinor
Mar 14, 200042 NM NORTH OF FUNK ISLAND, NFLD
Ice breaker was backing up in ice when an ice floe moved the rudder off the amidship position resulting in the overload of the starboard steering motor. The motor winding's insulation severly burned. No flame detected, only smoke.
DANGEROUS GOODS RELEASED - On board shipMinor
Oct 30, 1999BURIN, NFLD
Halon discharged into a vented Auxiliary Machinery Space. The incident happened 20 minutes after the annual inspection of the ship's fixed halon system. Cause of the discharge unknown at this time.
DANGEROUS GOODS RELEASED - On board shipMinor
Oct 15, 199946 NM NE OF MAGDALEN ISLAND, QUEBEC
During heavy weather the halon system released one cylinder into the speedcrane compartment.

Recorded marine occurrences naming this vessel.

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