Keel laying ceremony for Canada's most modern science research ship at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan), Canada’s long-term, strategic shipbuilding partner for large non-combat vessels under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) today reached an important milestone in the construction of the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV).
Seaspan was proud to host the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra along with representatives from the CCG for the keel laying ceremony for the OOSV.
The keel laying is a significant milestone in a ship’s construction, during which a coin is placed near the keel, where it will remain for the duration of the ship’s life. The coin is said to bring good luck to the builders and all those who sail in the vessel. For today’s occasion, the coin created to commemorate the CCG’s 60th anniversary was placed near the keel to honour the CCG’s service to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
This OOSV will deliver much-needed fleet capability for the CCG and an oceanographic science platform for a broad range of Canadian Government departments and scientists. It will support a wide range of oceanographic, fishery, geological and hydrographic survey missions. These missions will advance scientific knowledge about the oceans, the seabed and the impacts of climate change, and help lead to healthier, more sustainable ocean ecosystems – a key priority of the Government of Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy.
Equipped with the latest scientific research apparatus, this floating laboratory will be outfitted 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 ship will also perform search and rescue operations and environmental response as needed by the CCG.
In addition to building and delivering state-of-the-art ships, Seaspan is also delivering significant strategic socio-economic benefits as a result of the NSS. Seaspan is rebuilding the Canadian marine industrial sector, creating thousands of jobs, developing a supply chain of more than 700 suppliers, and so far, generating more than $2.6 billion in economic activity across the country.