Canadian Naval Review

'Insightful and engaging'

Canadian Naval Review

Canadian Coast Guard to modernize Hovercraft fleet

By Jose Canadas, 24 September 2023

Coast Guard hovercraft
Coast Guard hovercraft

According to a note released this week in Naval News, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) plans to revamp its fleet of Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), commonly known as hovercraft. These crafts play a crucial role in supporting CCG's operations, from search and rescue (SAR) missions to icebreaking duties, particularly in the St. Lawrence River at the end of winter season.

The decision to modernize these specialized craft underscores their significance in maintaining safe and efficient navigation in Canada's waterways. This upgrade initiative aims not only to enhance their life span with fully modernized systems (e.g. lift and bow thruster system, electrical system, controls and communications) but will also explore the use of innovative power plant technologies to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Preserving these hovercraft is crucial not only for their immediate duties but also to safeguard expertise in their operation and maintenance. This specialized craft (and associated knowledge) could prove quite valuable for Arctic operations at some point. By keeping them operational and upgrading their systems, Canada may remain better prepared to address evolving conditions and challenges in the Arctic.

Post continues on the Broadsides Forum

Trending now:

Current Issue: Spring 2023 CNR issue

Volume 19, Number 1 (2023)

It’s time for another issue of Canadian Naval Review. And this time we have a real treat in store for you! The spring issue is a joint issue with Australian Naval Review. Editors of CNR and ANR came up with the list of topics pertinent to both countries:

  • the national security climate, and the role of the navy in addressing threats;
  • climate change and its impact on the Australian and Canadian navies;
  • recruitment and retention in the two navies; and
  • submarines.

We then found Australian and Canadian authors to write about the topics. We also managed to convince the Chief of Navy, RAN, Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond, and Commander RCN Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, to say a few words. The result, as you will see, is a collection of articles that are both fascinating and timely.

In this issue, there are no columnists, no Making Waves contributions and no book reviews. There are eight articles – four from the Australian perspective and four from the Canadian perspective. And of course there are amazing photos to illustrate everything! We hope that you will find this joint issue as interesting as we have! See the Table of Contents below.

If you don’t have a subscription yet, you should get one so you don’t miss anything.

Click through to check out the table of contents and download the new issue!

CNR resources

Read more: CNR Archives (60+ magazines in PDF) and Subject Index (600+ articles)

Looking for Books about Maritime Matters?

Over the last 15 years, Canadian Naval Review has published over 180 book reviews. These books cover a variety of topics but they all relate to maritime matters, history, or security and defence at sea. This is an amazing resource. Go through the list of reviews, pick out a few books that look interesting, read the reviews, and then order the books from your nearest bookstore or from the publisher. See the list of book reviews at https://www.navalreview.ca/book-reviews/