Vanguard Magazine

20 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com interview The Coast Guard will continue to enhance and evolve our configuration management, life cycle management, and overall inte- grated logistics support for the existing and future Coast Guard fleet through monitor- ing of emerging technologies, investigation of innovative practices, and through con- sultation and engagement with industry, and other government organizations such as Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Q Given a common platform design for new construction, is the CG planning to embark upon digital twinning to maintain configuration management with class? If so, how do you envision the relation- ship between CG Headquarters in Ottawa and the regions as to fleet equipment fits? Moreover, do you think there will be a closer cooperation with the RCN with regards to the procurement and mainte- nance of common equipment? The Coast Guard is exploring various op- tions for creating, maintaining, and using "digital twins" for new and existing ves- sels. We have initiated various digital twin pilot projects to aid in defining the Coast Guard digital twin concept, its potential uses, and options for storing, using, main- taining, and modifying the digital twin. The ultimate goal of the pilot projects is to provide practical information that will assist in developing the parameters and business rules for the Coast Guard digital twin. This will include its maintenance and usage through all phases of the vessel's life. The Coast Guard intends to work with the RCN to share information learned from the pilot projects, and to discuss our vision for the digital twin. Q Since the RCN is learning from the CCG about operations in the Arctic for their Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), how do you envision the em- ployment of CCG AOPSs and interaction in operations with the RCN? Also, what, if any, differences do you see in equip- ment fits between RCN AOPVs and CCG AOPVs? The Coast Guard Arctic and Offshore Pa- trol Ships (AOPS) will replace two aging Offshore Patrol Vessels in the Coast Guard fleet and will provide a platform to assist the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) Conservation and Protection Branch to effectively manage and protect fish stocks. These multi-mission vessels will also be capable of providing maximum opera- tional flexibility. As such, they will be able to perform search and rescue missions or support the Coast Guard Environmen- tal Response Program in the event of a spill. The Coast Guard AOPS will be fit- ted with sensors and equipment that will give it the capability to support scientific research, development, monitoring and observation on behalf of DFO. The ves- sel is ice-capable. Both the Coast Guard and RCN oper- ate different programs. As such, we see an opportunity in profiting from upkeep and maintenance benefits due to both or- ganizations operating with the same class of vessel. All vessels will hold comparable equipment, and the experience and exper- tise of the RCN will provide us with the knowledge needed as we plan for the ar- rival of the Coast Guard variant. Finally, in terms of equipment fitment differences, the Coast Guard starts with the premise that Fleet Renewal is a criti- cal activity for us, and building two Coast Guard variants of the AOPS is an oppor- tunity that the Coast Guard welcomes. We recognize that it is practical, cost effective and sound procurement practice for the two Coast Guard vessels to be similarly constructed and outfitted at the same ship- yard as the RCNs AOPS, under the exist- ing shipbuilding contract. That said, the Coast Guard AOPS have specific mission requirements and regulatory standards, which entail modest design changes from the vessels presently under construction for the RCN. One example is the re-de- sign of the bridge to accommodate Coast Guard crewing levels and how we operate our ships. We will re-purpose military mis- sion spaces with equipment that supports Coast Guard missions. AOPS will not re- quire any modifications to support search and rescue, and in the end, we believe it will look great painted red and white. Q In closing, can you share with us a teaser of what you will be speaking about at ShipTech Forum 2020? I'm looking forward to speak to our ice- breaking operations, the impact of climate change, and the unique shipping challeng- es presented in Canada's Arctic. Icebreaking is top of mind for the Coast Guard, and I will share our successes and challenges as we continue to execute cold weather Arctic operations both on land and at sea. I will also speak about the historic re- newal of our Coast Guard fleet. Our fleet is critical to the delivery of our mandate, so we can perform the tasks Canadians expect of us – including protecting our coastal marine environment, icebreaking and per- forming search and rescue operations. We are currently living through the larg- est investments ever made to the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet with the announce- ment of 24 new large ships. We need ves- sels that are capable, reliable and safe – and that's why we're excited by these historic investments to renew the fleet. But of course, there is more to the Coast Guard than ships. Photo: CCG

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