Canadian Coast Guard – New tonnage
In 2019 Irving Shipbuilding Inc. from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was awarded the engineering design review contract for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS).
The plan is to replace two of the five existing Offshore Patrol Vessels.
The new AOPS — named the CCGS Donjek Glacier and CCGS Sermilik Glacier — will support offshore international fisheries surveillance and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization patrols, and offshore search and rescue on Canada’s east coast and in the low Arctic.
Aids to navigation application
The AOPS are versatile and modern ships that will allow greater flexibility and adaptability for the Canadian Coast Guard’s operations, including icebreaking, science research, humanitarian assistance, and aids to navigation.
The AOPS are designed to be able to support icebreaking operations in the low Arctic during the summer and on the East Coast during the winter. They are also outfitted with a medical cabin and shipping container accommodation, which allow the vessels to provide humanitarian assistance and support resupply operations to communities when needed.
Equipped with a robust crane and an A-frame on the stern of the ship, to lower packages from the working deck to the water, the AOPS will be capable of supporting aid to navigation operations and science research.
Construction of the CCGC Donjek Glacier began on 8 August 2023. On 31 July
2024 the keel was laid and for CCGC Sermilik Glacier. Construction of the AOPS falls under the Canadian National Shipbuilding Strategy. These newbuilds represent an important contribution to the Government of Canada’s efforts to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet and revitalize the Canadian shipbuilding industry. CCGC Donjek Glacier is expected to be delivered in 2026 with Sermilik Glacier in 2027.
The AOPS will be highly capable and versatile ships, able to perform as an at-sea operations centre. The AOPS can operate beyond 120 nautical miles from shore, including outside the Exclusive Economic Zone, have a top speed of 17 knots, and can stay at sea for up to 48 days.
Other main specifications of the ships include:
- Length overall of 103 metres.
- Width 19 metres.
- Displacement 6,677 metric tonnes.
- Crew of 31 with berths for 57 in total.
- Available command and control spaces.
- 20-tonne crane to support aids to navigation operations.
- A-frame to support science missions.
- Shipping container capability for resupply missions.
- Helicopter pad and hangar.
Text based on material kindly made available at www.canada.ca/news
Illustration: Canadian Coast Guard Crown Copyright 2024 ©.
Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway.