Vanguard Magazine

6 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 www.vanguardcanada.com S SIT REP A Maritime Makeover for CCGS Judy LaMarsh Navigating the Arctic: Seaspan Completes 'Prototype Block' for New Era Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, alongside the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, recently awarded a contract for the transfor- mation and refurbishment of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Judy LaMarsh. The contract, valued at almost $34.3 million under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, has been bestowed upon St. John's Dockyard Ltd. (Newdock), promising the creation of up to 80 jobs in the region. The commence- ment of work on the vessel took place in December 2023, with anticipated completion by March 2025. Delving into the vessel's upgrade, the comprehensive ini- tiative encompasses the revitalization of the propulsion, communication, and navigation systems. Simultaneously, en- hancements to the crew accommodations and workspaces are in progress, complemented by the installation of a cutting- edge buoy crane. "This work is a win-win—it boosts the economy and helps us safeguard Canada's coasts and waterways," added the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, the Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Functioning as a crucial player in icebreaking operations vi- tal to the initiation of various fishing seasons, the CCGS Judy LaMarsh diligently tends to navigational buoys in key regions such as the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and Atlantic Canada. Beyond its primary duties, the vessel stands ready for Situated in North Vancouver British Columbia, Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) recently reached a major milestone with the completion of the 'Prototype Block' for the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) Polar Icebreaker program. This achievement sig- nals Seaspan's readiness to embark on constructing Canada's first heavy Polar Icebreaker in over six decades. Unlike the steel employed in previous shipbuilding endeav- ors under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the steel required for the Polar Icebreaker is doubly thick in certain sections, presenting a unique set of challenges. Welding this denser steel demanded additional time and finesse, underscoring the search and rescue missions and emergency response opera- tions. Once the seaway opens up, the vessel will extend in- valuable navigational aid and sustain the maintenance of nav- igation aids from the Quebec border to Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement said, "This contract will ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard has the necessary equipment to de- liver on its mandate and keep Canadians safe. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are revitalizing the ship- building industry, creating good jobs, and modernizing our existing fleet." necessity of constructing the Prototype Block as a preparatory measure before diving into full-rate production. The Polar Icebreaker's deployment will be instrumental in facilitating the Canadian Coast Guard's operations along more than 162,000 kilometers of Arctic coastline. From upholding Arctic sovereignty to spearheading high-Arctic research en- deavors, the Polar Icebreaker will be a cornerstone in safe- guarding Canada's interests in the North. "The completion of the Prototype Block for our Polar Icebreaker is an important milestone for the Canadian Coast Guard. We eagerly await its delivery as this vessel will extend Coast Guard on-water operations and ensure the continuous delivery of critical services in the high Arctic. This includes search and rescue, environmental and humanitarian response, supporting important ocean science and arctic sovereignty," said Mario Pelletier, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. As the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent nears its retirement after six decades of unwavering service, the Polar Icebreaker is poised to inherit the mantle of Canada's flagship icebreaker. With a displacement of 27,876 tonnes, spanning 158 meters in length and 28 meters in width, the Polar Icebreaker will surpass its predecessors in both size and capability. Outfitted with state- of-the-art amenities and a crew capacity of up to 100 person- nel, it will redefine the boundaries of Arctic exploration. CCGS Judy LaMarsh. Image: https://x.com/coastguardcan/status/1747 259547075715242?s=46&t=p4lFEPcgf9Fr62eZ-cDyUA Polar Prototype team shots taken at W Building by Mike Savage.

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