Canada to design new coast guard vessels
The Canadian government has announced that contracts have been awarded for the design of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new offshore science vessels.
Four new scientific research vessels will be designed by Canadian shipbuilding firms including three new offshore fisheries science vessels and one new offshore oceanographic science vessel. The design contract for the three new offshore fisheries science vessels is valued at CA$2.5 million ($2.43 million).
The three new fisheries science vessels will be designed by Robert Allan, Alion Science and Technology (Canada) Corporation and Alion Science and Technology Corporation in joint venture. Two of these vessels are intended as replacements for CCGS Teleost, CCGS Alfred Needler, and CCGS W.E. Ricker, as well as CCGS Wilfred Templeman, which the Coast Guard uses to fill in for the other vessels when they are out of service for repairs.
Each vessel will have accommodations for approximately 39 crew and scientists. The vessels will be about 60-65m in length and will be capable of staying at sea for up to 31 days without re-provisioning. The design will include a modern propulsion system, an integrated bridge, modern acoustic sensors, and modern deck and trawl equipment. Two of the new vessels will be delivered in 2014, and the remaining vessel will be delivered in 2015.
STX Canada Marine, of Vancouver, British Columbia will design the Canadian Coast Guard's new offshore oceanographic science vessel at a cost of CA$2.48 million ($2.41 million). The new vessel, which was announced in the 2007 budget, is intended to replace CCGS Hudson on the East Coast and is scheduled for delivery in 2014.
The 90m long newbuilding will have accommodations for approximately 59 crew and scientists and will be capable of remaining at sea for several weeks without re-provisioning. Its design will include a modern propulsion system, automation in the machinery spaces, an integrated bridge, and a modern dynamic positioning system to allow scientific research within a given zone for prolonged periods.
