CCGS Alfred Needler[note 1] is an offshore fishery science vessel formerly operated by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The vessel entered service in 1982 with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, stationed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The research vessel is powered by one Caterpillar 3606 six-cylinder geared diesel engine driving one controllable pitch propeller creating 1,600 kilowatts (2,200 bhp).

Alfred Needler carries 209.50 m3 (46,080 imp gal) of diesel fuel, has a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) and can stay at sea for up to 30 days.

She was one of several fishery research vessels operated by the Government of Canada to monitor migratory fish stocks in the North Atlantic.

[citation needed] In September 2009, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced invitations for contracts to replace several of the Coast Guard's research vessels, including Alfred Needler.

[8] In July 2016, Alfred Needler discovered the wreck of a ship while trawling the waters off Nova Scotia.