[7][8] The vessels are propelled by two fixed pitch propellers and bow thrusters powered by three Alco 251F diesel-electric engines creating 8,847 horsepower (6,597 kW) and three Canadian GE generators producing 6 megawatts of AC power driving two Canadian GE motors creating 7,040 horsepower (5,250 kW).

[2] The Canadian Coast Guard classifies all the ships in the class as "high endurance multi-tasked vessels" within their classification system.

Martha L. Black and Sir Wilfrid Laurier swapped places, while George R. Pearkes was reassigned first to Quebec City then to St. John's in 2004.

[2][3] The vessels are used for buoy placement, retrieval and monitoring, scientific research, construction programs, search and rescue, icebreaking, and pollution control.

[10] They have been deployed on special missions, such as the 2005 operation to Louisiana by Sir William Alexander as part of Canada's aid to the United States following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

[13] Sir Wilfrid Laurier deployed in 2014 as part of the search for John Franklin's ships, Erebus and Terror, during the Victoria Strait Expedition.

[14][15] On 17 December 2007, Edward Cornwallis was dispatched to recover the 140-metre (459 ft 4 in) barge Houston carrying diesel fuel that had cast adrift in St. George's Bay near Port Hood, Nova Scotia.

[17] On 1 April 2015, Ann Harvey ran aground 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) southwest of Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador.