CCGS Amundsen

CCGS Amundsen is a Pierre Radisson-class medium icebreaker. It was built in 1978 at Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, BC, and commissioned in March of 1979 as the CCGS Franklin. One year later, the vessel was renamed to CCGS Sir John Franklin at the request of its crew. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, the Amundsen performed icebreaking duties throughout the St. Lawrence River, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Newfoundland coast during the winter months, and supported the annual Arctic Summer Sealift operation during the summer months, escorting cargo vessels to remote communities across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

In 1996, the Sir John Franklin was deemed surplus to the fleet after the Canadian Coast Guard was transfered to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and was decommissioned in 2000.

In 2003, the Canadian Coast Guard invested $30.7 million to convert the Sir John Franklin into an Arctic research vessel. This included converting the cargo holds into various laboratory spaces. The recommissioned vessel was named Amundsen, in honor of Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen.

In 2011, the Bank of Canada announced that an image of the Amundsen would be featured on the back of the Canadian $50 note.

The Amundsen is presently stationed at CCG Base Quebec in Quebec City.