 Des Groseilliers in 2006
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pierre Radisson or R class |
| Builders | Various |
| Operators | Canadian Coast Guard |
| Subclasses | Improved R class |
| Built | 1976–1988 |
| In service | 1977–present |
| Completed | 4 |
| Active | 4 |
| General characteristics for Pierre Radisson as built | |
| Type | Medium icebreaker (CCG) |
| Tonnage | |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 98.3 m (322 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in) |
| Draught | 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) |
| Ice class | Arctic Class 3 |
| Installed power | Diesel-electric: 6 × Alco M251F, 17,580 shp (13,110 kW); 6 GEC generators, 2 motors 13,600 shp (10,100 kW) |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, bow thruster |
| Speed | 16 knots (30 km/h) |
| Range | 15,000 nmi (28,000 km) at 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h) |
| Endurance | 120 days |
| Complement | 38 |
| Aircraft carried | 1 × MBB Bo 105 or Bell 206L helicopter |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar and flight deck |
The Pierre Radisson-class icebreakers, also known as R-class icebreakers, are a class of four icebreakers constructed for and operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard designates the four ships in the class as medium icebreakers. Built in two phases, the first three ships, Pierre Radisson, Franklin and Des Groseilliers, were built to a common design. The fourth, Henry Larsen was built to a modified design and is considered a subclass, the Improved R-class icebreaker. Franklin was later renamed Sir John Franklin before undergoing a re-design for use primarily as an Arctic research vessel. Upon the vessel's return to service, the ship was once again renamed Amundsen. All the vessels are named for people who sailed through Canada's northern waters. The class operates in the Arctic Ocean in the summer, patrolling, icebreaking and research missions.