The CCGS Griffon is a high endurance, multi-tasked vessel serving the Canadian Coast Guard since its completion in 1970. Constructed by Davie Shipbuilding in Lauzon, Quebec, the vessel was launched on September 26, 1969, and entered service in December 1970. It is classified as a Type 1100 buoy tender and light icebreaker, with a displacement of 3,096 tonnes fully loaded. The vessel measures 71.3 metres (approximately 234 feet) in length overall, with a beam of 15.1 metres (about 49.5 feet) and a draught of 4.73 metres (15.5 feet). Its gross tonnage is 2,212, and it has a deadweight of 786 tons. The Griffon is powered by two shafts driven by four Fairbanks-Morse 38D8-1/8 8-cylinder diesel-electric generators, producing a sustained 3,936 kilowatts (about 5,278 horsepower). This propulsion system enables the vessel to reach a maximum speed of 14 knots and a range of 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots, with an endurance capacity of 90 days. The ship’s crew comprises 25 personnel, and it features a 118-square-metre flight deck capable of supporting helicopters such as the MBB Bo 105 or Bell 206B, though it lacks a hangar. Designed with Arctic Class 2 rating, the Griffon is equipped for icebreaking operations and provides essential services along eastern Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River to Montreal. Throughout its service, the vessel has been involved in numerous notable events, including towing a Norwegian merchant vessel in 1976, assisting in icebreaking operations during winter conditions on the Great Lakes, and participating in efforts to break ice dams on the St. Clair River in 1987. It has also responded to emergencies, such as aiding vessels trapped in ice and conducting search operations, including a 2004 search for a downed aircraft and recent deployments in 2023 for debris searches. The Griffon’s operational history underscores its importance as a versatile icebreaker and support vessel within Canada’s Great Lakes and inland waters.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.