Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
Great Lakes coast guard vessel named in memory of scientist
September 09, 2009
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
BURLINGTON (Sep 9, 2009)
Pride, sorrow and celebration mixed at the christening of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Kelso at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters yesterday.
The 18-metre, aluminum-hulled research vessel, designed and built by Abco Industries in Lunenberg, N.S., was dedicated in memory of John R.M. Kelso, a federal fisheries scientist who died in 2004 at 59.
Kelso began his career in Burlington, then spent 25 years leading a satellite team in Sault Ste. Marie, studying issues such as acid rain, invasive species and degradation of fish habitat.
His widow, Donna, shed tears before breaking the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the bow. Oakville MP Terence Young and Coast Guard officials spoke of the valuable work CCGS Kelso will do in advancing fisheries and freshwater science on the Great Lakes.
Kelso replaces the soon-to-retire CCGS Shark, a converted tugboat in service since 1971.
Coxswain Bob Gay, who moved over from the Shark, has taken Kelso through all five lakes since she was delivered in June. He said he enjoyed moving "from a very good boat to an excellent boat, much bigger, better and with more modern equipment."
Kelso is classed as a nearshore fisheries research vessel with a crew of two and room for up to 10 scientists and technicians. It's basically a day boat equipped with a full galley and a couple of berths in case the crew needs to remain aboard.
Abco president John Meisner said his yard had built several 48-foot vessels for the Coast Guard, but Kelso, at 61 feet, is the biggest and most complex so far. She will be based at the federal centre on the shore of Hamilton Harbour.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650
___________________________________________________
Coxswain Bob Gay is a Beach resident.
Photo- Forum photo.
Great Lakes coast guard vessel named in memory of scientist
September 09, 2009
Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
BURLINGTON (Sep 9, 2009)
Pride, sorrow and celebration mixed at the christening of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Kelso at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters yesterday.
The 18-metre, aluminum-hulled research vessel, designed and built by Abco Industries in Lunenberg, N.S., was dedicated in memory of John R.M. Kelso, a federal fisheries scientist who died in 2004 at 59.
Kelso began his career in Burlington, then spent 25 years leading a satellite team in Sault Ste. Marie, studying issues such as acid rain, invasive species and degradation of fish habitat.
His widow, Donna, shed tears before breaking the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the bow. Oakville MP Terence Young and Coast Guard officials spoke of the valuable work CCGS Kelso will do in advancing fisheries and freshwater science on the Great Lakes.
Kelso replaces the soon-to-retire CCGS Shark, a converted tugboat in service since 1971.
Coxswain Bob Gay, who moved over from the Shark, has taken Kelso through all five lakes since she was delivered in June. He said he enjoyed moving "from a very good boat to an excellent boat, much bigger, better and with more modern equipment."
Kelso is classed as a nearshore fisheries research vessel with a crew of two and room for up to 10 scientists and technicians. It's basically a day boat equipped with a full galley and a couple of berths in case the crew needs to remain aboard.
Abco president John Meisner said his yard had built several 48-foot vessels for the Coast Guard, but Kelso, at 61 feet, is the biggest and most complex so far. She will be based at the federal centre on the shore of Hamilton Harbour.
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650
___________________________________________________
Coxswain Bob Gay is a Beach resident.
Photo- Forum photo.