In an official event on 5 June, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of British Columbia celebrated the launch of the country’s second Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV).
Built by Vancouver-based shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the 63m OFSV represents one of the most complex ships of its size and type to be built in Canada.
The vessel is designed to meet the mission needs of the Canadian Coast Guard and scientists, as it features high-tech fishing trawls, four laboratories and a deployable, sensor-equipped drop keel.
Additionally, the vessel seeks to serve as a platform for Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists to monitor the health of fish stocks, better understand the impacts of climate change, and will support oceans research.
In this regard, the ship marks a significant milestone in the rebirth and revitalization of the marine industrial sector on Canada’s West Coast, the shipbuilder said.
This, in combination with other National Shipbuilding Strategy projects and the recently announced renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, represents a significant achievement. Our government is working to ensure that the women and men of the Coast Guard and our scientists have the best equipment to conduct their important work. To keep our waters safe, protect our marine and coastal environment, and keep our economy moving,
…said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on the occasion.
This was the second ship launched by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term project to renew Canada’s federal fleet of combat and non-combat vessels, in a bid to rebuild the country’s shipbuilding industry.
