The former CCGS Matthew - finds a new home

 A former research ship once based in Halifax arrived in its new home port of Amherstburg, ON on September 13, where it will be converted for a novel new use.

Built in 1990 by Versatile Pacific Shipyards (former Burrard-Yarrows) in North Vancouver, BC, the 857 gt ship was delivered as the survey vessel CGS Matthew for the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Following tradition the ship was painted all white with a buff funnel. Early survey ships were yachts and and were white painted and several other countries continue the tradition for their survey ships (but not Canada).

The ship had large davits to handle survey launches which were used for charting in shallow water, going ashore for landmarks and other duties. (The launches were usually landed ashore at the Bedford Institute when not actually needed.)  There was also a helicopter landing platform above the open launch stowage area. Another feature was the stack of three bright red dories on the bridge deck, forward of the wheelhouse.

The ship was named Matthew after the caravel sailed by John Cabot in 1497 when he "discovered" Newfoundland. The modern Matthew made numerous survey trips to the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts seasonally and was laid up in winter at the Bedford Institute (BIO) in Halifax.

In 1997 when the Canadian Coast Guard became part of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Hydrographic Service was also included and the CCGS Matthew was painted in Canadian Coast Guard red and white. It may also have assigned other duties, such as search and rescue, as most CCG ships were multi-tasked.

The Matthew was not a particularly successful vessel and it was given a major refit in 2010 and laid up / retired during a budget cutting exercise. It was never recommissioned, so it was declared surplus in 2015 and renamed 2015-03. However it was not offered for sale until 2016, by which time it had deteriorated and was past the 25 year survey date. The $1.5 mn minimum bid was ludicrous for a neglected vessel and it took six tries before someone bid $279,000 - which was accepted. (It might have fetched the asking price if sold promptly in 2011 - so much for cost cutting.)

The new owners, from Goose Bay, Labrador, had the ship towed to North Sydney in April 2019 where it was drydocked, repainted and recertified by Lloyd's and renamed Miss M J. Plans to convert the vessel to an expedition yacht apparently stalled and it was again offered for sale at $2.5 million (CAN).

I understand that it was sold earlier this year by auction and acquired by a new owner in Amherstburg, ON. The McKeil Marine tug Ecosse took the Miss M J in tow out of Sydney harbour on September 3, as a dead ship. It was joined by the tug Vigilant I to assist it through the Seaway and Welland Canal as far as Windsor, ON where they arrived September 13.

Reports indicate that the new owner will convert the ship for use as a restaurant with overnight Airbnb accommodation. It will remain static at a marina in the Windsor area and will not be operating under its own power.

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