Seaspan Shipyard’s long-standing relationship with the Canadian Coast Guard was proudly showcased in recent days, with simultaneous repair and maintenance work on Coast Guard vessels at all three of the company’s shipyards – Vancouver Drydock, Vancouver Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards.
“The role we play as an essential service provider to the Canadian Coast Guard is one that we take great pride in,” said Brian Carter, President, Seaspan Shipyards. “It is rewarding that the Coast Guard counts on Seaspan to be a trusted and reliable partner to meet its repair and maintenance needs when and as requested.”
In North Vancouver, Vancouver Drydock completed regular maintenance last week on the JP Tully, a 69 metre long Ice Class Oceanographic Survey Vessel, including overhauls to the tail-shaft and thrusters, hull preparation, paint and tank blasting, and re-coating.
Seaspan’s other Lower Mainland shipyard – Vancouver Shipyards – has commenced work on the Coast Guard Hovercraft Penac. Repairs are estimated to be complete in ten weeks.
Meanwhile, Victoria Shipyards is conducting drydock, surveys and associated work on the W.E. Ricker, including reviewing underwater paint, steel, shafts and oil tanks to assess any potentially required upgrades or maintenance work.
Thanks to the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, and its role as Canada’s Non-Combat capability partner, Seaspan’s relationship with the Coast Guard will increase significantly in the coming years as it begins construction of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV), followed by an Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV), Polar Icebreaker (PIB), and then up to five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) as well as up to five Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels (MEMTV), for a current total of up to 15 new ships to be built in Vancouver, before tests and trials are conducted in Victoria.