Hike Metal News

The Canadian Coast Guard's newest search and rescue (SAR) lifeboat has officially entered service at the Lifeboat Station in Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador.Built by Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario under Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, the high-endurance CCGS Gabarus Bay is designed, equipped and crewed to respond to mariners needing assistance at sea.In December 2022, CCGS Gabarus Bay was the 13th SAR lifeboat accepted by the Government of Canada and was delivered to Burgeo in April 2023.

The Canadian Coast Guard on Wednesday welcomed the CCGS Chedabucto Bay into its fleet at the Lifeboat Station in Clarks Harbour, Nova Scotia.The Bay Class vessel, built by Chantier Naval Forillon in Gaspé, Quebec and delivered earlier this year, is the 14th of 20 new search and rescue lifeboats that will be dedicated into service by the Canadian Coast Guard across the country.The shore-stationed self-righting lifeboats are specifically designed, equipped and crewed to respond to search and rescue incidents at sea.

The Canadian Coast Guard on Monday marked the delivery of the 13th and 14th search and rescue lifeboats: the CCGS Gabarus Bay and the CCGS Chedabucto Bay. The vessels were built by Hike Metal Products Ltd from Wheatley, Ontario and Chantier Naval Forillon from Gaspé, Quebec, respectively.The CCGS Chedabucto Bay will be stationed in Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia while the CCGS Gabarus Bay will be stationed in Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador.In 2018, Gaspé, Quebec’s Chantier Naval Forillon and Wheatley…

A newly retrofitted electric ferry is the first in Canada to be powered completely by a zero-emissions, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel fuel components.In 2018, PortsToronto issued a request for expression of interest (RFEOI) to reduce air and noise emissions from its 96-foot Marilyn Bell I, used for transporting passengers, vehicles and supplies the very short distance (90-second trips) to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island.St. Catharines-based marine electrical engineering firm Canal Marine & Industrial Inc.

A newly retrofitted electric ferry is the first in Canada to enter service powered by a zero-emissions, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel fuel components.PortsToronto’s 96-foot Marilyn Bell I, used for transporting passengers, vehicles and supplies the short distance to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island, returned to operations last week following a 20-week conversion, and is now sailing 100% emissions free.St. Catharines-based marine electrical engineering firm Canal Marine & Industrial Inc.

Sea Machines Robotics CEO & President.Michael Gordon Johnson is a marine engineer, an accomplished entrepreneur and sector leader with a primary goal of building progressive and sustainable innovation for modern society. He is the founder of Sea Machines, a Boston-based tech company that is a leading provider of autonomous control and intelligent perception systems for marine vessels. Johnson earned a marine engineering degree from Texas A&M University before starting a career focused on complex projects in offshore oil and gas, marine transportation and salvage.

Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics announced today a new partnership with Hike Metal, a world-class manufacturer of workboats based in Ontario, Canada, to integrate Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous vessel control system aboard commercial vessels tasked with search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.The collaboration will help develop and demonstrate the capabilities of autonomous marine technology for the purposes of increasing the productivity and safety of SAR operations. Once installed…

Radio Holland Canada has won two major contracts to support the Canadian Coast Guard. Public Works and Government Services Canada, which is responsible for government procurement, has awarded Radio Holland Canada a multimillion dollar contract to supply Furuno ECDIS and radars for the Canadian Coast Guard fleet over the next five years. In a separate agreement Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, Ontario has contracted Radio Holland to supply the Navigation & Communication equipment for six new Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Lifeboats.

The Iron Guppy, a new custom 20 metre (65') ice breaking tug designed by Robert Allan Ltd of Vancouver is taking shape at Hike Metal Products Ltd in Wheatley, Ontario. The tug is under construction for Ports Toronto and will replace the 1961 vintage William Rest which has served the port well for many years. Iron Guppy was named by Waterfront Elementary School students from a longlist of names developed by students from kindergarten up to Grade 6. The new tug carries over some of the old tug's characteristics such as size, power, and single fixed pitch propeller that the crew have become accustomed to. With a special ice breaking bow…

Maritime safety products and systems can entail everything from a sophisticated integrated bridge system down to cleaning products for the galley. Here are a few recent introductions that appear particularly topical in the never-ending push for safer ships and crews. Under normal circumstances it would be hard to imagine a a mariner or rig worker who would want to be in the freefall lifeboat to the left, but in an emergency that blaze orange tube is likely the most beautiful ride at sea.

When it came time to retire the iconic Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls tour boats, Hornblower Niagara Cruises sought replacements that would raise the standard of forward-thinking performance, without sacrificing safety. The two new 86' x 36' catamarans built by Hike Metal, christened Niagara Wonder and Niagara Thunder, each has a capacity of 700 passengers and navigates the churning, rock-strewn waters 6,000 times a year. Featured aboard the vessels is Sea-Fire's FireStop Detection System and H-Series Engineered Fire Suppression.

In April 2011, The Chicago Fire Department took delivery of a new Fireboat to replace the aging Victor L. Schlaeger. The vessel was named in memory of Firefighter Christopher Wheatley, who lost his life in active duty in 2010. The new vessel was designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects of Vancouver BC, and was built by Hike Metal Products of (serendipitously!) Wheatley, Ontario. This fireboat is one of several fireboats designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built in Canada for US cities in recent years…

The  City  of  Chicago  recently  contracted  Hike  Metal  of  Wheatley , Ontario  Canada   to  construct  a  new  heavy- duty  NFPA  1925 Type  III Fireboat  to  replace  its  55  year old  fireboat. This  sleek  new  90-ft  boat   is  designed  to break  up  to  12  inches  of   first  year  ice  at  three  knots  and  can  therefore  operate  year  round  on  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Chicago  River . It  is  equipped  with  Caterpillar  marine  diesel  engines; two  1,0000hp engines  driving  the  main  fire pumps  for  a  total  delivery  capacity of  14…

Every marine vessel requires two critical components to ensure a safe journey: a competent master at the helm and a reliable power source in the engine room. Because of the increasing ship traffic and safety concerns, the design of pilot boats used to transfer pilots to and from ships has evolved significantly in recent years. Cat marine engines will power the majority of the new breed of pilot boats built for ports across Canada. The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA), based in Montreal…

Jacobsen Pilot Service Inc., Long Beach Calif. Received a new 54-ft. (16.4-m) welded aluminum pilot boat from Hike Metal Products Ltd. in Wheatley, Ontario, Canada this past July. Hike Metal was approached in the early summer of 2002 after Jacobsen Pilots services owner Tom Jacobsen had conducted a thorough review of the market and read an article about a new Pilot Boat Hike had just built and delivered to Atlantic Canada. While Jacobsen needed a new vessel for the growing demand for Pilot services in Long Beach, he also wanted a modern vessel, specifically designed for function…

The waters off of Long Beach, Calif., could be considered a bit safer now, as Jacobsen Pilot Service Inc. this summer received a new 54-ft. (16.4-m) welded aluminum pilot boat from Hike Metal Products Ltd. Following an international trend, the ships calling the Port of Long Beach today are much larger — particularly the massive new containerships that can deliver more than 7,000 teu on one ship — and the pilots have to board further out to sea. Also, the rush periods now demand a bigger boat with more seating for pilots. After 9/11 Jacobsen Pilots partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Sea Marshals to help deliver them to the incoming ships. The new pilot boat fulfills this mission when required.

Long Beach, California, is the second largest container vessel port in the United States. With rush periods now demanding bigger boats with more seating, Jacobsen Pilot Service needed a dependable, new craft to deliver up to eight pilots to incoming ships. They turned to Hike Metal, who supplied a 54 ft. welded aluminum pilot boat equipped with Delta "T" Systems ventilation equipment that provides peak engine performance. To keep the engine room free from damaging salt spray, Hike Metal outfitted the Long Beach Pilot Boat with Delta "T" Systems moisture eliminators. The company also installed axial fans to provide high airflow rates and lower relative sound pressure levels.

Since 1958, Hike Metal of Wheatley, Ontario, has been a steady presence in the Canadian maritime niche, enjoying success and growth built on the local fishing industry. The yard is strategically located on the north shore of Lake Erie, 45 miles east of the Windsor / Detroit border. Central location provides the company good access to both suppliers and market alike. Hike prides itself on many aspects of its business, starting with the construction of not aluminum vessels, rather strong relationships with customers to establish and define the class and function requirements of the vessel. On the facilities side, Hike's modern plant facilities and metal working machinery enable us to build both large and small vessels simultaneously. Vessels up to 100 ft.

McKeil Marine Ltd. of Hamilton, Ontario has sold its twin screw, 105' x 25' tug Offshore Supplier to Thompson Shipping Co., Ltd. The 910-bhp tug was originally built by Hike Metal Products in 1979 and powered with twin GM16V71's with fixed pitch props in kort nozzles. It was delivered with a fresh drydocking and will be repositioned from Canada to the Caribbean where she will immediately start work with the buyer's barge. Marcon acted as sole broker in the transaction.

The Province of New Brunswick, Department of Transportation, recently took delivery of a new car/passenger ferry, the Deer Island Princess II, built by Hike Metal. The new vessel is a state-of-the-art design with all functions being operable from the bridge, providing efficient and timely vehicle/passenger loading/unloading turn around. The new ferry replaces an older ferry operating between the busy mainland of L'Etete and Deer Island, New Brunswick. The ferry is designed to carry up to 24 full sized cars stowed in three lanes of eight automobiles, and 95 passengers and four crew. Seating is provided in the accommodation for 14 persons plus a wheelchair allowing a minimum of 18 in. width per person.

Ocean Research Corporation, Florida, recently took delivery of a new 141 foot welded steel hull/aluminum superstructure Research Vessel from Hike Metal Products Ltd. in Wheatley Ontario Canada. Subsequent to contract signing, the customer’s design underwent a design check / detailed design review, after which time the workings drawing package was developed along with computerized lofting and CNC cut files generation for hull structure. The vessel measures 141 x 31 ft. beam and has a draft of 7.5 ft. The hull form is a double chine semi-displacement and with twin Caterpillar 3508 marine diesel engines allows the vessel to do an impressive 16 knots at full power.

Toronto Port Authority recently took delivery of a new 100ft steel car/passenger Ro-Ro ferry. Hike Metal Products Ltd. won the contract in 2006 amid local competition. The new car ferry is part of a re-structuring program by the Toronto Port Authority to revitalize the City of Toronto Island Airport which included the repair of slips, two new two-level terminals and the new two-level 100 passenger / 15 vehicle car ferry. The new ferry, rendering an older vessel obsolete, is powered by twin caterpillar C12, developing 450HP at 1880 rpm which drive Ulstein 360degree drive legs at each end and on center line. Two 45KW generators provide electrical power while underway for ship’s services and heat (being the main load ).

The City of Baltimore has just taken delivery of a new 87 ft. Emergency Response Fireboat. Hike Metal Products won the contract in 2006 under a “design build” bid competition. The vessel was designed by Robert Allan Ltd, Vancouver BC. The vessel measures 87 ft LOA x 22ft. beam and has a draft of 7ft – 3”. It is built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure and is powered by two Caterpillar 3512 developing 1650BHP each at 1600RPM driving 61 inch dia. Five blade propellers, giving the vessel a speed of 17 knots. Firefighting is provided from two Caterpillar C18 engines rated at 750BHp at 2100 RPM each driving FSS Fire pumps and delivering water to a total of four fire monitors rated for 12,500 GPM, plus manifold fire hose connectors, and 1000 gallons of foam capacity.