The following is the text of a news release from the Government of Canada:
(LEVIS, Quebec) — The Honourable Steven Blaney, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse and the Etchemins, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, have announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a $16 million contract to Davie for the vessel life extension (VLE) and refit work for the CCGS Henry Larsen.
Added to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet in 1988, the CCGS Henry Larsen is a medium icebreaker based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The CCGS Henry Larsen was named after the commander of the first vessel to cross the Northwest Passage in a single season.
This is the fourth contract involving Davie awarded through a competitive process by the Canadian Coast Guard in less than a year. In March 2015, the shipyard won a $13.6 million contract to extend the life of the CCGS Earl Grey.
The first two contracts were awarded to the partnership formed by Babcock Canada Inc. and Davie. A $6.5 million contract for refit work on the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent was announced in April 2014 and a $4.5 million contract for refit and VLE work on Canadian Coast Guard ship CCGS Des Groseilliers was announced in October 2014.
This project is partly funded under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy to renew the CCG fleet. Repairing and maintaining existing vessels will ensure CCG continues to deliver marine safety and environmental response capacity for future generations. This work supports Canada’s shipbuilding industry, ensuring the best value for Canadian taxpayers.
Funding for this project is also provided under the Federal Infrastructure Initiative announced in November 2014. Under this initiative, the Canadian Coast Guard received $183 million for repair, life extension, and procurement of vessels and small craft.
“Since 2006, our government has made historic investments to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet," said Shea. "In addition to ensuring maritime safety across Canada, these investments create quality jobs in the shipbuilding industry.”
“I am proud to announce a fourth contract from the Canadian Coast Guard to the Davie Shipyard," said Blaney. "This life extension contract for the CCGS Henry Larsen will enable the shipyard to support the creation of 100 jobs in the shipbuilding sector in our region and to ensure the Canadian Coast Guard has the equipment it needs to continue its important work.”
Quick facts
• CCGS Henry Larsen is capable of sustained icebreaking and escort operations in the Arctic and Atlantic region for the winter and summer seasons.
• VLE and refit work includes extensive vessel modernizations and upgrades such as an alarm and monitoring system, repair of the sea bay (a major component of the cooling system) and renewal of the bubbler system (primarily used for maneuverability of the vessel during ice operations).
• Work is scheduled to begin in July 2015 and be completed by May 2016.
• This contract is being awarded as part of the $360 million investment to extend the life of the Coast Guard fleet announced in February 2013, as well as part of the $183 million investment under the Federal Infrastructure Initiative announced in November 2014.
