CCGS Vakta

CCGS Vakta is a vessel of the Canadian Coast Guard. She was built in Wheatley, Ontario and was named Vakta, which comes from Icelandic meaning to "watch, guard, or patrol". Vakta is the only Canadian Coast Guard vessel on Lake Winnipeg and stationed in Gimli, Manitoba, the largest harbour between Sarnia, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Description
Vakta is 16.3 m long with a beam of 4.6 m and a draught of 1.4 m. The vessel has a and has. Vatka's hull is constructed of aluminum and is powered by two Caterpillar C12 diesel engines driving two fixed pitch propellers rated at 731 kW and is also equipped with a Northern Lights M844K generator. The vessel has a maximum speed of 21 kn and a range of 320 nmi at a cruising speed of 15 kn. Vatka carries 2.6 m3 of diesel fuel and capacity for 0.4 m3 of fresh water with an endurance of three days. The vessel is equipped with one rigid-hulled inflatable boat launched from the stern. The ship has a complement of four Coast Guard personnel.

Service history
Vatka was constructed by Hike Metal Products Ltd. of Wheatley, Ontario and launched in 2003. The vessel was completed and accepted into service as Vatka whose meaning is of Icelandic origin meaning "watch, guard or patrol". The vessel is home ported at the Canadian Coast Guard base in Gimli, Manitoba on Lake Winnipeg. The Coast Guard unit in Gimli is tasked with placing navigational markers on Lake Winnipeg and leading search and rescue missions on the lake.