The ship was built in 1988 by Swath Ocean Systems Incorporated of San Diego, California and entered service the same year.

[1] Frederick G. Creed was powered by two General Motors 12V92 geared diesel engines driving two shafts turning a fixed pitch propeller each.

[1][2][b] Frederick G. Creed had a range of 870 nautical miles (1,610 km; 1,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) and had capacity for 15 m3 (3,300 imp gal) of diesel fuel for an endurance of three days.

Frederick G. Creed had one 10 m2 (110 sq ft) dry lab aboard and carried one manually-launched rigid-hulled inflatable boat.

[2] CCGS Frederick G. Creed was built in 1988 by Swath Ocean Systems at their yard in San Diego, California.