Minister Ashfield Announces Name for Another Addition to the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet

LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 14, 2012) - The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, today announced the name of yet another new vessel in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.

The new vessel will be named after New Glasgow, Nova Scotia native Stan Dudka, a decorated war veteran and distinguished federal fishery officer. Mr. Dudka died in 2008.

"It is with great humility that we name this vessel for the late Stan Dudka, a man who dedicated his life to service to his country," said Minister Ashfield.

"I had the great honour to know Mr. Dudka, a man committed to his country, his community and his family," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for the riding of Central Nova. "Canadian Coast Guard Ship S. Dudka will represent the best of Canadian values and is a fitting tribute to a Nova Scotian who did the same."

The CCGS S. Dudka is currently under construction at the ABCO Industries Limited boatyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. ABCO was awarded the $2.9 million contract to build the 14-metre vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard.

The CCGS S. Dudka features jet propulsion and will be used primarily for fisheries enforcement duties. The vessel will be based in Alberton, Prince Edward Island and is expected to be delivered in the fall of 2012.

Economic Action Plan 2012 has signalled significant upcoming investments towards the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet of vessels and helicopters. This is in addition to the more than $1.4 billion we have already invested for new mid-shore patrol vessels, scientific research vessels, a new hovercraft and Canada's first polar icebreaker. These investments will help ensure a long and exciting future for the Coast Guard's symbolic red and white vessels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For broadcast : Lunenburg, Nova Scotia -The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, today announced the name for yet another new vessel in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. The 14-metre fisheries patrol vessel will be named for the late Stan Dudka of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The CCGS S. Dudka will be based in Alberton, Prince Edward Island and is expected to be delivered in the fall of 2012.

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Twitter Post: Newest Coast Guard vessel named for Maritimes' war hero

BACKGROUNDER

NEW CANADIAN COAST GUARD VESSEL NAMED FOR WAR HERO AND DISTINGUISHED FISHERY OFFICER

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Keith Ashfield has announced the latest addition to the Canadian Coast Guard fleet will be named CCGS S. Dudka after the late Stanley Dudka, a decorated veteran of the Second World War and a distinguished fishery officer with the Department.

Mr. Dudka was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1923. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1939 at the age of 16.

On June 6, 1944, Mr. Dudka landed at Juno Beach with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, part of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Despite being wounded several times Mr. Dudka continued to take part in the Canadian Army's actions when on June 7 he was captured by the enemy.

After two unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Dudka finally succeeded on escaping and made his way back to Allied lines. He rejoined his unit and continued to take part in the Army's European campaign.

For his actions under fire, Mr. Dudka was later awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

While Mr. Dudka was in captivity he witnessed the murder of Canadian Prisoners of War by enemy soldiers under the command of SS Major Kurt Meyer. In late 1945, Mr. Dudka testified at Meyer's war crimes trial before a Canadian Military Court in Aurich, Germany.

Following demobilization, Mr. Dudka returned to New Glasgow where he became a coal miner. He volunteered to become a draegerman, part of the mine's specially-trained rescue team.

In 1958 Mr. Dudka joined the Department as a fishery officer in the "Special Force" which was dedicated to reducing the illegal salmon and lobster fisheries in the Maritimes. Later in his career with the Department he led the effort to coordinate enforcement efforts in the Gulf area seal hunt. In addition Mr. Dudka was involved in the pioneering efforts to launch the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF), which was the predecessor to the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO).

Mr. Dudka was honoured twice by the Department for his service as fishery officer: in 1967 he received the Centennial Medal for Meritorious Service and in 1974 the Public Service Merit Award.

Mr. Dudka retired from the Department in 1988. He died in 2008 aged 85.

Naming Canadian Coast Guard vessels

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Naming Policy outlines the process for naming vessels and classes of vessels, and provides general guidelines for the selection and approval of those names. Canadian Coast Guard ships are named traditionally to promote Canadian culture, geography, sovereignty and history.

About the New Vessel

The new vessel is currently under construction at ABCO Industries Limited boatyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The $2.9 million vessel will be used primarily to support Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Conservation and Protection program in the Department's Gulf Region.

The CCGS S. Dudka is 14 metres in length and features twin diesels powering twin jet-drives. The vessel will be based in Alberton, Prince Edward Island.