The Chronicle Herald is reporting that the Federal Governmnet has announced 488 million dollars to procure new vessels for the Coast Guard. Minister MacKay made the announcement during the 2013 Mari-Tech Conference, an annual event providing marine engineers and those in the marine industrial community with opportunities to develop their knowledge, stay current with industry development, and network with key industry stakeholders.
The construction of these vessels will be available for competitive bids by Canadian shipyards not selected under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and will provide jobs for small and medium enterprises and shipyards across Canada.
Of the 18-21 vessels, the Coast Guard will procure:
- Search and Rescue Lifeboats
- Specialty Vessels
- Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels
- Channel Survey and Sounding Vessels
- Mid-Shore Science Vessels
- Special Navaids Vessels
Vessels will be constructed over the next seven years and will replace existing vessels of the Coast Guard fleet and will be stationed across Canada based on operational need. This investment is in addition to the larger vessels to be constructed at Vancouver Shipyards, the vessel life extensions and mid-life modernizations for 16 vessels and 2 hovercraft and up to 24 new helicopters.
Since 2009, the Government of Canada has delivered over 100 vessels to the Coast Guard, including: four Hero-class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (CCGS Private Robertson V.C., CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., CCGS Corporal Teather C.V, and the CCGS Constable Carrière); the hovercraft CCGS Mamilossa; five Search and Rescue Lifeboats; two Specialty Vessels; three Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels; 30 environmental barges; and 60 small craft.
