Coast Guard ship brings Science at Sea to shore at Port Alberni marina

The 2024 Sharing Science at Sea Expedition will bring a Canadian Coast Guard research ship to Port Alberni for public tours this month.

The CCGS Sir John Franklin will sail into the Alberni Inlet Oct. 17–18 for a series of public tours. It is part of an tour around southern Vancouver Island.

The ship, an offshore fisheries research vessel, will be “loaded” with a crew of Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists, along with marine research equipment and displays from local research in the area surrounding their ports of call. The Sir John Franklin is one of three related research vessels ordered in 2011: the other two are the CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier and CCGS John Cabot. The Franklin was launched Dec. 8, 2017. 

The public is invited to come aboard, meet the crew, participate in science demonstrations, explore new technology and learn about jobs at sea.

“This educational science expedition provides an opportunity for students and the community to come onboard to learn about the science research happening in local waters,” said an expedition spokesperson.

“We look forward to fostering relationships that could lead to a long-term exchange of environmental information and collaboration in the collection of data that is meaningful to coastal communities.”

More than 150 students from School District 70 (Pacific Rim) will receive a tour of the Coast Guard science vessel on Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18. Members of the public will have the opportunity to tour the ship on Friday from 1–3:30 p.m.

The ship will be docked at Harbour Quay Marina dock. Admission is free.

Sturdy shoes (no open-toed shoes) are recommended. The ship may not be accessible to all visitors.

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