The Canadian government has decided to invest in eight new search and rescue (SAR) lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard.
On behalf of the coast guard, Public Services and Procurement Canada is acquiring the new high-endurance SAR lifeboats from Chantier Naval Forillon of Gaspé, Quebec, and Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, Ontario.
Chantier Naval Forillon and Hike Metal Products were already producing six SAR lifeboats each under existing contracts signed in 2015. To date, four new high-endurance SAR lifeboats have been delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard.
Under the amended contracts, each shipyard will build four additional lifeboats at a total cost of $61,757,896. These contracts were awarded under the small vessel component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
“Our government is providing the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard with the modern equipment they need through the National Shipbuilding Strategy. At the same time, we are creating good middle class jobs and strong business opportunities for the Canadian marine sector,” Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, said.
“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy and Oceans Protection Plan, we are providing members of the Canadian Coast Guard the equipment they need to keep Canadian waters and those who use them safe. The addition of these new lifeboats will also create more jobs for Canadians and enhance the Coast Guard’s capacity as a leader in maritime safety,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, commented.
With the ability to operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore, these new high-endurance SAR lifeboats are enhancing the Canadian Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities. Vessels from this class are named after bays in Canada and are being built under the Federal Infrastructure Initiative, the Fleet Renewal Plan and Oceans Protection Plan.