The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley joined the Canadian Coast Guard Central and Arctic Region fleet in the fall of 1985. During most of the navigational season, the Samuel Risley operates out of the Canadian Coast Guard base in Parry Sound, Ontario.

The Samuel Risley, named after the first chairman of the Board of Steamship Inspectors, was the first Type 1050 vessel commissioned by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The vessel is highly efficient, as it is equipped with controllable pitch propellers, bow and stern thrusters and twin rudders, all controlled by a microprocessor. The ship can be moved in any direction by a slight adjustment of the joystick steering system. All of its equipment has been designed for quick start-up, making the Risley very effective in search and rescue operations to which, like all Coast Guard vessels, it can be assigned when necessary.

During the navigation season, from late March to late December, the Risley's primary duty is tending aids to navigation in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes. This includes placing and removing floating buoys by means of a crane that can handle four motions simultaneously. The ship also has a standard offshore vessel anchor-handling and towing winch.  Other aids to navigation duties include servicing radio and radar beacons,  and lightstation re-supply and maintenance. 

During the winter months,  CCGS Samuel Risley breaks ice from Port Colborne, Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Risley can move steadily  through ice up to 33 inches thick.

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