Harper Government Awards Contract for Search and Rescue Lifeboats

WHEATLEY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 9, 2015) - Public Works and Government Services Canada

Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Hike Metal Products from Wheatley, Ontario, to build the next generation of Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) lifeboats.

The SAR lifeboats will provide key search and rescue services, including conducting searches on water, responding to marine distress calls and providing assistance to disabled vessels.

The build contract is valued at $43.4 million and requires Hike Metal Products to build six vessels, with options of up to an additional four. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for spring 2017.

Over 30 years, the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) will create an estimated 15,000 jobs and generate $2 billion a year in economic activity across Canada.

Quick Facts

- To date, more than 265 Canadian companies have benefitted from NSPS contracts.

- The SAR lifeboats will be built as part of the small vessels program under the NSPS.

- This competitive opportunity was open to all Canadian shipyards, with the exception of the two selected under the NSPS to build the large vessels (Vancouver Shipyards and Irving Shipbuilding).

- The new SAR lifeboats will replace the Coast Guard's existing Arun-type vessels.

- Funding for the building of these vessels was announced on June 26, 2013, as part of an investment of up to $488 million in the Coast Guard's fleet renewal.

Quotes

"Our Government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is creating and supporting jobs throughout Canada and right here in our community. This contract will sustain an estimated 20 jobs on top of adding another 25 jobs over the course of the year in Chatham-Kent-Essex. I am proud to be part of the Government that made the historic decision to build ships right here in Canada."

Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex

"This contract takes us one step further toward fulfilling our commitment to providing our Coast Guard the equipment they need to do the jobs we ask of them and to revitalizing our shipbuilding industry. We will continue to ensure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their money and that we are creating jobs and prosperity across Canada."

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Associated Links

National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site.

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