CCGS Sora

CCGS Sora was a 12.5 metre small multi-task utility craft that has seen service with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Toronto Fire Services (TFS). It was deployed for medium range task and perform under moderate to high speed in moderate weather conditions and in sheltered waters in station mode. In 2005, it was purchased by the City of Toronto for use by TFS. It was finally retired in 2015.

As the fireboat Sora
History
Canada
Name	Sora
Operator	Canadian Coast Guard Toronto Fire Services
Builder	Canadian Dredge & Dock Ltd., Kingston
Commissioned	1982
Recommissioned	2005 with Toronto Fire Services
Decommissioned	2005 from CCG
In service	1982–2005 (CCG) 2005–2015 (TFS)
Stricken	2005
Homeport	CCG Base Amherstburg, Ontario 1982–2005 Toronto Fire Services Station 334: 2005–2015
Fate	Transferred as reserve ship for the Toronto Fire Services
Status	Retired with Toronto Fire Services on October 31, 2015
General characteristics
Type	Multiple Task Utility Craft
Tonnage	21 gross tons
Length	12.5 m (41 ft 0 in)
Beam	4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Draft	1.24 m (4 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	Diesel engines
Speed	26 knots (48 km/h)
Range	300 nautical miles (560 km)
Endurance	1 day
Complement	3

Career with Canadian Coast Guard

During her career with the Canadian Coast Guard, Sora was a search and rescue boat along the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.^[1]

Her task included:

• towing disabled/grounded light watercraft
• medical evacuation calls
• searching for missing vessels or aircraft over water

The vessel is not ice class and did not operate between December and April.^[1]

Career with Toronto Fire Services

She was declared surplus in late 2005 and sold to the City of Toronto in 2006. It was a back-up fireboat for William Lyon Mackenzie. In November 2014, TFS acquired another former CCG vessel, CCGS Cape Hurd, which replaced Sora as its second fireboat^[2][3]

See also

Other utility ships in CCG:

• CCGS Waubuno
• CCGS Bittern
• CCGS CG 119
• CCGS Mallard
• CCGS Osprey
• CCGS Skua
• CCGS Sterne