Converteam was awarded a contract from the federal Government of Canada to provide mid-life electrical system upgrade services to the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The scope $2.65m contract includes three main elements: upgrade the existing propulsion system; supply a new bow thruster system; and
supply new drive systems and motors for the existing cranes. Converteam will design, manufacture, supply, and warrant the
complete equipment sets, as well as provide an operator training program for each system. Additional services to be provided include assisting the shipyard during initial equipment installation, equipment commissioning and testing, plus sea trials and performance tests. Most of the work for this contract will be performed by Converteam’s Pittsburgh office, with coordination from the Burlington, Ontario, Canada office.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a 5,250 KW light icebreaker that operates in the western Arctic Ocean, with a mission of keeping shipping lanes open for cargo transport ships. The CCGS Laurier’s home port is in Victoria, British Columbia, was initially launched in 1986, and carries a crew of 26. The 3,812-ton vessel is 272 ft. long and has a cruising speed of 11 knots, and a cruising range of 6,500 miles. The ship is named in honor of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911.