Canadian Coast Guard welcomes 1st new vessel built under National Shipbuilding Strategy

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has accepted delivery of the first new large vessel built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

The first offshore fisheries science vessel (OFSV), CCGS Sir John Franklin, was built by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in Canada.

“On behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, I am proud to accept the first offshore fisheries science vessels built and delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The CCGS Sir John Franklin is a major addition to our Coast Guard fleet,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard said during a ceremony held on June 27.

The addition of the vessel to the CCG fleet is expected to help Canada better understand the impacts of climate change and inform its development of evidence-based policy. The vessel will also support strong environmental response and search and rescue operations, when needed, as explained by the coast guard.

The CCG has embarked on a fleet renewal program that will see the construction of up to eighteen new large ships. The program is supporting the rebirth and revitalization of the domestic marine industrial sector.

“We are delivering on our commitment to renew Canada’s federal fleet and rebuild our domestic shipbuilding industry while providing economic benefits to Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, noted.

Earlier this month, Seaspan launched OFSV 2, the future CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier. OFSV 2 is currently undergoing systems commissioning in advance of the commencement of sea trials this fall. OFSV 3, the future CCGS John Cabot, will be structurally complete by the end of summer 2019, according to the shipbuilder.

The shipbuilder is also constructing one joint support ship for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).