Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Ministers Welcome New Vessel to the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet- July 11, 2013

ALBERTON, Prince Edward Island – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today officially welcomed a new addition to the Canadian Coast Guard fleet at the naming and dedication ceremony for CCGS S. Dudka in Alberton, Prince Edward Island.

“I am proud to be part of a government that has invested more in the Canadian Coast Guard than any government in Canadian history,” said Minister Gail Shea. “We are making strategic investments in the Coast Guard to help them do their job. Here on the Island and all across Canada, their role is crucial as they are protecting those who make a living on the sea and our fisheries and oceans.”

The CCGS S. Dudka is named after Stanley Dudka, a decorated war veteran and distinguished Fishery Officer. Minister Shea and Minister MacKay were joined by Melody Aubin, eldest daughter of Mr. Dudka and the sponsor of the vessel on behalf of the family.

“It is a privilege to name this vessel after a Canadian hero such as Stanley Dudka. I had the great honour to know Mr. Dudka, a man committed to his country, his community and his family,” said Minister MacKay. “This new vessel is a fitting tribute to a Nova Scotian who proudly represented his country.”

The Dudka is a 14-metre vessel which will be primarily used for fisheries enforcement duties in the waters around Prince Edward Island. The CCGS S. Dudka is the fourth jet boat delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard in support of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Conservation and Protection Program.

The vessel was built by ABCO Industries Limited in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia at a cost of $2.9 million.

Since 2009, over 100 new vessels have been built for the Coast Guard, including: four Hero-class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (CCGS Private Robertson V.C., CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., CCGS Corporal Teather C.V, and the CCGS Constable Carrière); the hovercraft CCGS Mamilossa; five Search and Rescue Lifeboats; two Specialty Vessels; three Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels; and, numerous environmental barges and small craft.

CCGS S. Dudka

The Canadian Coast Guard welcomed the CCGS S. Dudka into the fleet at the vessel's Dedication to Service ceremony July 11 in Alberton, Prince Edward Island. Ministers Gail Shea and Peter MacKay were joined by Melody Aubin, the vessel's sponsor on behalf of the Dudka family, Assistant Commissioner John Butler, Regional Director of Fleet Stephen Decker and the vessel's two commanding officers, Allen Gaudet and Troy Perry, at the event. The vessel is named for the late Stanley Dudka, a decorated war veteran and distinguished fishery officer.

CCGS S. Dudka

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Backgrounder:

New Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Named for War Hero and Distinguished Fishery Officer
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For more information:

Communications Branch
Maritimes Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
902-426-3550

NR-MAR-13-04E