Canadian Coast Guard to receive new search and rescue boats

Hike Metal Products and Chantier Naval Forillon received contracts to build search and rescue (SAR) lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Under the terms of $43.4m and $45.8m contracts, Hike Metal and Chantier Naval will build six vessels respectively, with options of up to an additional four lifeboats.

The SAR lifeboats are the first small vessels to be built under the country’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), and will provide key SAR services, including conducting searches on water, responding to marine distress calls and providing assistance to disabled vessels.

Canadian Public Works and Government Services Diane Finley said: "This contract takes us one step further toward fulfilling our commitment to providing our Coast Guard with the equipment they need to do the jobs we ask of them and to revitalizing our shipbuilding industry.

"We will continue to ensure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their money while creating jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity across Canada."

Canadian Parliament Member Chatham-Kent-Essex said: "Our Government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is creating and supporting jobs throughout Canada and right here in our community.

"This contract will sustain an estimated 20 jobs, on top of adding another 25 jobs over the course of the year in Chatham-Kent-Essex."

Funding for the construction of the new vessels, which are scheduled to replace the Coast Guard’s existing Arun-type vessel fleet, form part of an investment of up to $488m in the Coast Guard’s fleet renewal.

Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled to take place in spring 2017.

Over the next 30 years, the NSPS is expected to create an estimated 15,000 jobs and generate $2bn a year in economic activity across Canada.