The Huron Explorer 1 was christened and commissioned in the Owen Sound harbour on Tuesday.
It’s the new Ministry of Natural Resources Lake Huron/Georgian Bay fisheries research and assessment vessel.
Captain John Brookham of the Explorer, which is based in Port Elgin, says they now have back up radars, plotters and GPS systems which allows for extended stays on the water.
Brookham says the Explorer gives them the possibility to do trawling and night-time work along with gill netting.
The Huron Explorer “1” and Ontario Explorer, are the first two vessels built to Lake Ontario and Upper Great Lakes Management specifications.
Brookham says two they conduct fisheries assessment work on species like salmon, lake trout, walleye and whitefish for ecosystem monitoring and commercial and sport fish management.
Although the Explorer was christened today, Brookham says they’ve been out since May and have 600 hours on the engine.
So far so good add’s the captain — who can’t wait to get back out on the water.
