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I have served in the Canadian Coast Guard for over 35 years and proudly promote and represent the CCG. There are many, many people in Canada who do not even know of the existence of the CCG, and many others who do not know what the CCG does. This is my small attempt to promote an organization that I believe deserves much better publicity.

Griffon Click on photos to see full-screen image In Port Weller drydock. Built: Davie Shipbuilding Ltd, Lauzon, QC Date Completed: 1970 Tonnage: 2212 grt Dimensions: 234 x 49 x 15.5 (ft) Machinery: Twin screw Diesel-electric 4000SHP Speed: 13.5 kt In Port Weller drydock. CCGS Griffon at Port Colborne. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon at Port Colborne. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon at Port Colborne. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon  and Courtney Burton at Port Colborne. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon  and Courtney Burton at Port Colborne. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. Canadian Coast Guard vessels are called "Ships", not "Cutters". CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down toward Lock 7. Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 2, Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 2, Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 2, Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 2, Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon down from Lock 2, Welland Canal. CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal CCGS Griffon downbound toward Lock1, Welland Canal The wheelsman's view through the centre window of the Griffon. Upbound approaching lock 8, Welland. Another view of the Griffon and the restricted visibility. CCGS Griffon at the Coast Guard base, Parry Sound, ON. The last of the first group of diesel-electric light icebreakers, she was built for the Central Region and based in Prescott, Ontario. The largest Coast Guard ship permanently stationed in the Great Lakes, but has deployed to Hudson Bay on occasion. She was in the area for the Fall buoy changes. CCGS Griffon at the Coast Guard base, Parry Sound, ON. She was in the area for the Fall buoy changes. Bow of the Griffon. CCGS Griffon. Both ships. Single rudder. This was lengthened many years ago to provide better steering. Griffon has fixed pitch props. The top blade on the left has a large chunk out of it. Looking east in the drydock. On December 8 we did a proof test on the boom of the Griffon. This requires you to lift 25% in excess of the Safe Working Load of the boom. The Safe Working Load of the boom is 15 tons, so the proof load must be... is this a metric question? Museum ship Alexander Henry in the background. All that weight goes over the side.  The ship only listed 4 degrees. Notice the ice on the buoy even after we pick it up. U.S. buoys offloaded in Port Weller. CG used a Seaways crane and operator to move the buoys clear of the side of the wharf. Moving a weather buoy from Hamilton to CCIW. Griffon in Toronto New bow thruster.  Variable pitch prop in a tunnel. Bobs hanging to help center the Griffon before she took the blocks. CCGS Griffon in Port Weller dry drydock. In the enlarged photo you can see the dayglow painted bobs lined up ahead of the ship. PWDD with Canadian Enterprise and Jean Parisien.  Griffon barge changing buoy above lock 1. Griffon springs a leak.  At least it is going out instead of in.  It's really the hawse wash which is normally used to wash the anchor chain as it is picked up.  The fire line is charged so the crew can hose down the ship, otherwise known as "sougee". Miranda davit and diesel boat.  These davits are one of the best things I have seen in 35 years.  You can launch and recover at speed yet it works so fast that the most dangerous time - having your small boat alongside the ship in rough seas - is reduced to mere seconds.  Also, the diesel engine allows the boat to be started before it is launched so you can let go the bow line and lift chain and GO!!!! Griffon's barge returning to the ship after servicing the last buoy in the Welland canal for the 2003 season.