Canada awards design contracts for research vessels

Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea, has announced the award of contracts for the design of four new scientific research vessels the Canadian Coast Guard.

A $2.5 million contract for the design of three new fisheries science vessels has been awarded Robert Allan Ltd, Alion Science and Technology (Canada) Corporation and Alion Science and Technology Corporation in joint venture.

A $2.48 million contract to design a new offshore oceanographic science vessel has been awarded to STX Canada Marine Inc., of Vancouver, B.C.

The new offshore fisheries science vessels will be used to:

conduct fishing and acoustic surveys of fish and invertebrates;

collect information on the distribution, abundance and biology of species to be used in stock assessments for new and existing fisheries, and in studies supporting the assessments; and

collect physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic data to monitor changes in marine ecosystems and their impact on fisheries resources and ecosystem health.

Each vessel will have accommodations for approximately 39 (crew and scientists). The vessels will be about 60-65 m in length, and will be capable of staying at sea for up to 31 days without reprovisioning.

The offshore oceanographic science vessel will be used to:

conduct multi-disciplinary physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic expeditions;

observe global and regional oceanographic circulation and interactions;

contribute to the assessments of resources and impacts to the various marine ecosystems;

support marine geology; and

contribute to data gathering for hydrographic charts, oceanographic engineering, establishment of internal and international marine boundaries and for other government departments and research organizations.

The vessel will have accommodations for approximately 59 (crew and scientists). It will be about 90 m in length. It will have a dynamic positioning system and is expected to be delivered in 2014.

The Ministry says that “combined these new design contracts represent a $4.98 million commitment to Canada’s shipbuilding industry.”