Seaspan Delivers Canada’s Newest Oceanographic Science Vessel To The Coast Guard

Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has officially delivered the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV), CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The OOSV is the fourth large vessel, and second class of ship, to be built and delivered by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

Seaspan and its workforce hosted the vessel’s acceptance ceremony today at Vancouver Shipyards, with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry; Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for South-Surrey-White Rock; the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver-Capilano; Marc Mes, CCG Deputy Commissioner, Programs; and John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards; each providing celebratory remarks. The delivery of the OOSV is a proud moment for the hundreds of Seaspan employees and Canadian suppliers who were directly involved in the ship’s construction and serves as another proof point for the Government of Canada of the success of the NSS.

CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk is named after a well-respected elder from Nunavik, who was a renowned promoter of Inuit language and culture.

The ship will replace CCGS Hudson, which was decommissioned in 2022 following 59 years of dedicated service. The new OOSV will be Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s primary oceanographic science platform, outfitted for habitat management, marine surveys and scientific research on ocean currents and the seabed, while also being able to serve the needs of the Canadian Coast Guard, aiding in operations such as Search and Rescue.

This highly complex ship is a floating laboratory, with specialized equipment that includes several advanced wet and dry labs, an ocean sampling room, a scientific seawater system for studying oxygen levels, temperature and salinity, and a state-of-the-art drop keel and sensor suite for collecting and analyzing data on everything from water current velocities to underwater acoustics. The OOSV will sail to Patricia Bay for Canadian Coast Guard training and familiarity before starting its voyage to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the ship’s home port.

The OOSV’s delivery follows a number of other shipbuilding milestones at Seaspan over the last year, including the launch of HMCS Protecteur, cutting steel on the CCG’s new heavy Polar Icebreaker, a successful Functional Design Review for the Multi-Purpose Icebreakers and the design award for six U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters.

QUOTES

“With the delivery of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, Canada’s largest dedicated science vessel, the National Shipbuilding Strategy has helped create high-quality jobs, strengthen our shipbuilding industry, and expand the Coast Guard’s scientific and operational capabilities. It shows how strategic federal investments in shipbuilding support Canadian industry while enhancing our ability to monitor, understand, and protect our oceans.”

The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement

“The CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk will ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard has the advanced capabilities it needs to serve Canadians and carry out critical missions that protect our marine environment. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we will continue delivering modern and capable ships to the Coast Guard that support good-paying jobs, and grow Canada’s marine industry.”

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)

“Seaspan is immensely proud to deliver CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, an incredibly complex vessel that will perform important scientific research missions for Canada. As the first shipyard to deliver two different classes of ships under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan is showing that the investments made to rebuild shipbuilding on the West Coast have been successful — we are designing and building ships for Canada, in Canada. Today’s celebration is thanks to the dedication, creativity and teamwork of our engineers, designers, naval architects, skilled tradespeople, suppliers and Coast Guard partners. Thank you and congratulations to all on this magnificent milestone.”

John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards

“The delivery of the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk marks a major milestone in our efforts to modernize the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet. As our largest dedicated science vessel, this ship will serve as a world-class platform for critical oceanographic research, supporting sustainable marine resource management and our response to changing ocean conditions. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to the team at Vancouver Shipyards for their skill, dedication, and craftsmanship in bringing this complex and vital vessel to life. Their work helps ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of ocean science and marine safety for generations to come.”

Mario Pelletier, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard

Source: Maritime Shipping News