CCGS Samuel Risley
The first of its namesake class of “medium-endurance multi-tasked” vessels, CCGS Samuel Risley was built in 1984 at Vito Steel Boat & Barge in Delta, BC, and serves as Canada’s primary ice-breaking vessel on the Great Lakes during the winter months, and serves as a buoy tender servicing aids to navigation during the warmer months.
The vessel is named after Samuel Risley, the 19th century maritime inspector who served as the first head of the Board of Steamship Inspectors for Upper Canada and Ontario.
Vessel Details
IMO No.
8322442
Year Built
1984
Builder
Vito Steel Boat & Barge (Delta, BC, Canada)
Length
228'8" (69.7m)
Beam
44'11" (13.7m)
Depth
17'1" (5.2m)
Class/Mission
Medium-Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel (Samuel Risley Class)
Homeport
CCG Base Parry Sound
(Parry Sound, ON)
(Parry Sound, ON)
Gross Tonnage
1,987 tons
Engine Power
8,529 bhp diesel
Previous Names
(none)
Previous Fleets
(none)

CCGS Samuel Risley was decked out for yesterday's Coast Guard and Maritime History Day. Michael Hull (Thunder Bay, ON – July 15)

CCGS Samuel Risley passes through the Soo while upbound to Thunder Bay, ON, and some midsummer work. David Kaye (Sault Ste. Marie, MI – July 12)

CCGS Samuel Risley is on the scene in Thunder Bay, ON, to break up the icy harbor. Michael Hull image, March 23

The Risley heads upbound for Lake Superior, churning up the ice as she goes. David Kaye image, March 21

CCGS Samuel Risley becomes the first vessel to transit the Poe Lock this season at the Soo. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers image, March 21

A lock and dam operator stands by as the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley passes through the Poe Lock on its way to Thunder Bay, Ontario. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo

CCGS Samuel Risley enters the MacArthur Lock on her way down to Lake Huron's Parry Sound. David Kaye image, November 15

The 229-foot-long Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley in the Poe Lock Corps of Engineers/Michelle Briggs

Canadian CG Cutter Samuel Risley upbound at Rotary Park on the St. Marys. March 20, 2022. Jeff Paquette.

CCGS Samuel Risley takes a break in Windsor having assisted the Iver Bright and Algonova tankers down from Sarnia, 1pm 2.26.22. Robert Phillips

CCGS Samuel Risley and Samuel de Champlain with Innovation on Detroit River. Jan. 28, 2022. Janey Anderson.


![Samuel Risley upbound at Belle Isle from Windsor June 29, 2025 [Jamie Campbell [4]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/06/Samuel-Risley-upbound-at-Belle-Isle-from-Windsor-June-29-2025-Jamie-Campbell-4/1558250242.png)
![Samuel Risley upbound at Belle Isle from Windsor June 29, 2025 [Jamie Campbell [3]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/06/Samuel-Risley-upbound-at-Belle-Isle-from-Windsor-June-29-2025-Jamie-Campbell-3/567543579.png)
![Samuel Risley upbound at Belle Isle from Windsor June 29, 2025 [Jamie Campbell [2]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/06/Samuel-Risley-upbound-at-Belle-Isle-from-Windsor-June-29-2025-Jamie-Campbell-2/1910448836.png)
![Samuel Risley upbound at Belle Isle from Windsor June 29, 2025 [Jamie Campbell [1]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/06/Samuel-Risley-upbound-at-Belle-Isle-from-Windsor-June-29-2025-Jamie-Campbell-1/2292197415.png)
![CCG SAMUEL RISLEY - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 2-24-2025 [Paul R Murray] [5]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/02/CCG-SAMUEL-RISLEY-Upbound-Port-Huron-Michigan-2-24-2025-Paul-R-Murray-5/325389313.png)
![CCG SAMUEL RISLEY - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 2-24-2025 [Paul R Murray] [4]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/02/CCG-SAMUEL-RISLEY-Upbound-Port-Huron-Michigan-2-24-2025-Paul-R-Murray-4/2196490892.png)
![CCG SAMUEL RISLEY - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 2-24-2025 [Paul R Murray] [3]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/02/CCG-SAMUEL-RISLEY-Upbound-Port-Huron-Michigan-2-24-2025-Paul-R-Murray-3/2535649096.png)
![CCG SAMUEL RISLEY - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 2-24-2025 [Paul R Murray] [2]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/02/CCG-SAMUEL-RISLEY-Upbound-Port-Huron-Michigan-2-24-2025-Paul-R-Murray-2/2057083569.png)
![CCG SAMUEL RISLEY - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 2-24-2025 [Paul R Murray] [1]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2025/02/CCG-SAMUEL-RISLEY-Upbound-Port-Huron-Michigan-2-24-2025-Paul-R-Murray-1/3944722831.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 5-10-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/05/P3877-Samuel-Risley-David-Kaye-5-10-2024/3734216880.png)

![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 4-18-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/04/P3596-Samuel-Risley-David-Kaye-4-18-2024/3708683268.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 3 -21-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-Davd-Kaye-3-21-2024-2/2173114855.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 3-21-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-Davd-Kaye-3-21-2024-1/634823839.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 3-21-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-Davd-Kaye-3-21-2024/515004334.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 3-19-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-David-Kaye-3-19-2024-1/2024357088.png)
![Samuel Risley [David Kaye] 3-19-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-David-Kaye-3-19-2024/933553053.png)
![CCGS Samuel Risley [Robert Phillips] 3-14-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/CCGS-Samuel-Risley-Robert-Phillips-3-14-2024/312299585.png)
![Samuel Risley 3-10-2024 [Heidi Schmidt]](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Samuel-Risley-3-10-2024-Heidi-Schmidt/534403304.png)
![CCGS Samuel Risley [Paul R. Murray] 2-25-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/02/CCGS-Samuel-Risley-Paul-R_-Murray-2-25-2024-2/2886037011.png)
![CCGS Samuel Risley [Paul R. Murray] 2-25-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/02/CCGS-Samuel-Risley-Paul-R_-Murray-2-25-2024-1/1674874869.png)
![CCGS Samuel Risley [Paul R. Murray] 2-25-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/02/CCGS-Samuel-Risley-Paul-R_-Murray-2-25-2024/2714664288.png)
![Samuel Risley [Don Detloff] 2-1-2024](https://www.boatnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/02/Samuel-Risley-Don-Detloff-2-1-2024/3291535151.png)















