Serco Joins VARD's Team Vigilance for Canadian Navy Build
Serco has signed on a team assembled by Vard Marine Inc. to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels (MCDV) under Pillar Two of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.Vard Marine, a Fincantieri company, launched VIGILANCE in 2023 to "provide the RCN with a state-of-the-art, capable, operationally flexible, and globally deployable multi-mission naval vessel" that is designed, built and equipped in Canada.Other Team Vigilance partner companies include Ontario Shipyards…
Vard, Team Vigilance Unveil Vigilance Offshore Patrol Vessel at CANSEC
Vard Marine Inc. (VARD), a Fincantieri company, has launched the Vigilance Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) at the Canadian defense trade show CANSEC 2023, in conjunction with Team Vigilance partner companies Heddle Shipyards, Thales Canada, SH Defence, and Fincantieri.Collectively, Team Vigilance partner companies bring vast and impressive capabilities and experience to bear in naval ship design, Canadian and global shipbuilding, the integration of combat and offboard systems, modular payload systems, and life-cycle solutions.
Mackay Completes Electronics Commissioning Aboard CCGS John Cabot
Mackay Marine said it has completed final electronics commissioning during sea trials aboard the future CCGS John Cabot. Constructed at Seaspan’s Vancouver shipyard, the new ship is the third Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV) built for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCGS) under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.Mackay said it was selected to be part of the team to support Thales Canada in its role as Tier-1 Partner to Seaspan Shipyards and as Electronic Systems Integrator for the construction of these vessels.
CCG Adds OFSV to its Fleet
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has completed Delivery of Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Capt. Jacques Cartier, the Canadian Coast Guard’s newest state-of-the-art Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV), the second OFSV delivered by Seaspan."The milestone in the shipbuilding process took place exactly five months and two days after the delivery of her sister ship, the CCGS Sir John Franklin. These two ships are the first large vessels delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada’s plan to renew the federal fleet with ships built in Canada for Canadians," said a press note.In addition to major partners like Thales Canada who are responsible for the vessel’s Electronic Systems and Vard Marine…
Construction Engineering Work for OFSV Started At Vancouver Shipyards
Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) has started design work under the Construction Engineering Contract for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV). This contract will take a total of ten months to complete and lead to a build contract in early 2014. 1. Initial Design Phase – elements of the design will be matured and an initial cost model developed. 2. Functional Design Phase – design for spaces and systems will be completed, equipment identified, suppliers engaged and regulatory approval for the design obtained. 3. Production Design Phase – a detailed 3D model of the ship will be started to define final requirements for material and layout of spaces and systems.
Canadian Marine Training Centre Opens
The Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC) located in Esquimalt, BC, is officially opened. The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic persification (WD), joined provincial and local representatives to officially open the Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC). "We recognize that the shipbuilding and marine industry in British Columbia is set to grow significantly in the coming years and that this coordinated training centre will play an integral part in positioning BC for success," said Minister Yelich. Total economic activity in BC’s shipbuilding industry is expected to grow from $450 million to $1.4 billion, with the number of jobs increasing from 3,000 to 5,000.
Thales Antenna Contract for Canadian Navy
Thales Canada has been awarded a contract to supply the Canadian Navy with dedicated UHF satellite communication (SATCOM) omni-directional antennas for four of the Halifax-class frigates that are being con¬verted to command ships. The QHASS (Quadrifilar Helix) antenna was developed by Thales UK’s underwater systems business in Templecombe, Somerset, specifically to provide enhanced low-angle performance in the UHF SATCOM frequency band. "For more than 40 years Thales has been a major provider of sensors and systems to the Canadian Navy…
WMG & Thales Teaming Agreement Signed
Washington Marine Group (WMG) announced the signing of a Teaming Agreement with Thales Canada forming a strategic alliance to provide the Government of Canada a single solution for the future build and in service support of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). The AOPS program is worth over $2b dollars, delivering six ice breaking patrol vessels to the Canadian Navy, as part of the Federal Government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). It will provide 700 to 800 skilled jobs to BC shipbuilders and 40 to 60 high technology jobs, in Ontario. WMG is currently supplying in service support for the Canadian submarine fleet, Mid Life extension for Canadian Patrol Frigates, and building Motorized Lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard.
