Constructing the CCG Hero class [Merged]

[MarkOttawa]

1) More on Davie's Aiviq here:
http://www.davie.ca/pdf/Aiviq.pdf

From a tweet:

https://twitter.com/chantierdavie/status/918565826650890240

2) Will Finland's Arctia contest the sole-source to Davie within the 15-day ACAN window? CETA with EU implications? From January this year:

Arctia Ltd. ready to support Canada\

The Finnish shipowner Arctia Ltd. is moving forward to support Canada in icebreaking and towing services. The company has responded to the Canadian Government’s Request for Information and Industry Consultation for Interim Icebreaking and Towing Capability for the Canadian Coast Guard, and continues to follow the tendering process. Arctia’s purpose-built icebreaker fleet is promptly available, and can serve the Canadian industry and Arctic communities within weeks.

“We were quite surprised yesterday reading the news stating that negotiations will be launched with one interested supplier for the conversion and lease of existing supply vessels. We have understood that the open tender for interim icebreaking services is still open and does not cover any conversion costs“, states Tero Vauraste, the President and CEO of Arctia Ltd.

Arctia Ltd. participates in the Canadian Government’s tender for interim icebreaking solutions. The company is ready to charter its icebreakers to the Canadian Coast Guard and explore cooperative solutions to help Canada avoid the so-called icebreaker gap within the formal purchasing process. The Government’s public tender issued in November 2016 states that the Canadian Coast Guard may require additional icebreaking capacity provided by one (1) to five (5) icebreakers at various times over the next number of years.

    “We have extensive experience in the North American Arctic. All our icebreakers have diesel-electric propulsion and they are designed specifically for challenging and long-lasting icebreaking operations. They need no conversion for operations in the Canadian Arctic. This is a clear advantage compared to our competitors. We are the only operator in the world that can provide multiple powerful heavy and medium heavy polar class icebreakers promptly and on a commercial basis“, Vauraste explains.

Arctia Ltd. is a Finnish shipowner specialized in icebreaking, ice management and towing. The company currently has eight icebreakers in its fleet, including IB Polaris, the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered icebreaker in the world. Finnish multipurpose icebreakers have been proven effective in the Canadian Arctic. Just this July, the Finnish MSV Nordica transited the Northwest Passage (NWP) from Vancouver, Canada, to Nuuk, Greenland, in 24 days with researchers and a Canadian Coast Guard officer on board. This transit set the record for the earliest crossing of the NWP. The Nordica now holds the records for both the earliest and latest season transits of the NWP.

Along with the Nordica, its sister vessel MSV Fennica has served in ice management tasks in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas in 2007 and from 2012 to 2015. Arctia’s converted IB Otso has worked on the north-eastern coast of Greenland...
https://www.vesselfinder.com/news/11295-Arctia-Ltd-ready-to-support-Canada

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Uzlu]

Politics at play in major shipbuilding contract that could land in Quebec

The federal government is looking to a Quebec company for a major shipbuilding contract, but a competitor is questioning the backroom politics behind who gets the job.

The contract is to convert three used ships from Norway and the United States into icebreakers. Levis’ Davie Shipyards is vying for the contract.

“The only company in the world that can fit all these criteria is Davie,” said the company’s VP of Public Affairs Frederik Boisvert.

However, competing company Fednav, Canada’s largest ocean-going cargo shipper, said it wants to build several brand new icebreakers in Norway, where they said shipbuilding is more efficient.

“It’s about having built an assembly line effectively and perfecting something,” said Fednav CEO Paul Pathy.

Canada’s current fleet of icebreakers is aging and Pathy questioned the federal government’s practice of stretching the ships’ lifespan.

“Right now, there are no heavy icebreakers available because they’re all on layup because they’re so old,” he said. “They keep being renewed and renewed and renewed.”

The oft-ice clogged St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes – St-Lawrence Seaway is the source of $35 billion a year in revenue and 225,000 jobs in Canada and the U.S., making the presence of icebreakers essential for the Canadian economy.

University of British Columbia professor Michael Byers said the government can’t ignore the benefits of building ships in Canada.

“The shipworkers here in Canada pay taxes, they buy homes, they buy cars, they buy groceries,” he said.

But Aaron Wudrick of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said Ottawa must make decisions based on the best deal.

“We need to get the best icebreaker for the lowest price and not worry about where it’s being built,” he said.

The federal procurement ministry did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. A decision on the contract is expected on July 11.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/politics-at-play-in-major-shipbuilding-contract-that-could-land-in-quebec-1.4005945

 

[MarkOttawa]

Sure could use those Davie-converted icebreakers, at very least--this old one (built 1985) off to help resupply USAF base at Thule, Greenland, amongst other things:

Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley departs for its first-ever Arctic mission

The Canadian Coast Guard’s annual Arctic operational season is underway and includes a maiden voyage to the Arctic by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley.

CCGS Samuel Risley departed Quebec City today with 25 officers and crew on board.

Their first task will be to support the annual resupply mission for the United States Air Base at Thule Greenland.  “My crew and I will be doing the Operation Pacer Goose mission [emphasis added].  We are very much looking forward to seeing and working on the rugged west coast of Greenland, a place few people ever get to experience,” said Captain John Cork, who is in command of CCGS Samuel Risley for the first month of its eight week Arctic mission.  “This is a wonderful opportunity for the crew, and personally I am thrilled to have this as my last assignment before I retire after 34 years with the Canadian Coast Guard”.

1200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Thule is locked in by ice about nine months out of the year.  Icebreaking service is needed to allow for a rapid resupply of food, fuel, construction materials and cargo.  After Thule CCGS Samuel Risley will transit to the eastern Canadian Arctic and the waters of Baffin Bay, the Hudson Strait and northern Hudson Bay.

Captain Signe Gotfredsen notes her crew members are truly looking forward to providing Coast Guard service in the north.  Captain Gotfredsen will assume command of the ship during the second half of this mission. “For a number of the crew, this will be their first time plying Arctic waters, so there is a sense of exploration onboard,”  said Captain Gotfredsen.  “Some of our preparation time has been spent on training including Indigenous Engagement, helicopter slinging operations and environmental response.”

CCGS Samuel Risley joined the Coast Guard fleet in the fall of 1985 [2000 t. https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:380038/mmsi:316001890/imo:8322442/vessel:SAMUEL_RISLEY ]. During most of the navigational season the ship operates out of the Canadian Coast Guard base in Parry Sound Ontario. The vessel is multi-tasked and in addition to its icebreaking and aids to navigation duties on the Great Lakes it has also served on Canada’s east coast [emphasis added].

The Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic operational season will run into late November, providing extended vessel presence in the Arctic under investments from the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan.

CCGS Samuel Risley joins other coast guard ships serving the Arctic this year including CCGS Amundsen, CCGS Martha L. Black, CCGS Pierre Radisson, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent and CCGS Henry Larsen.
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2018/07/12/canadian-coast-guard-ship-samuel-risley-departs-for-its-first-ever-arctic-mission/

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Colin Parkinson]

All of those ships were in service when I joined in 1990 and will still be active when I retire 2019........

 

[MarkOttawa]

CCG can only look on in envy--but this is only authorization, Congress still has to appropriate funds:

National Defense [Authorization] Act has heavy Arctic focus

...The U.S. Coast Guard has only two [icebreakers]--and one of them is 10 years beyond its intended use.

The bill passed Wednesday authorizes six new icebreakers.

“For the first time ever, the NDAA includes an authorization of up to six heavy, polar-class icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard – something that is long overdue,” said Senator Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska)...

Authorization of Six Heavy Polar-Class Icebreakers: The FY19 NDAA includes a provision secured by Senator Sullivan to authorize up to six heavy, polar-class icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition, this provision expresses Congress’ belief that the first new icebreaker should be delivered no later than Fiscal Year 2023, the next two by FY 2026, and the final three by FY 2029...
http://www.ktva.com/story/38793068/national-defense-act-has-heavy-arctic-focus

Useful cautionary tweet:

Rob Levinson
‏@levinsor

A plea. Please stop referring to the NDAA as a spending bill. I realize that the difference between authorization and appropriation is pretty wonky but it does matter. The NDAA matters for policy but many things that get authorized don't necessarily get funded.
https://twitter.com/levinsor/status/1025004264425435136

Mark
Ottawa

 

[chrisf]

The Aiviq has been discussed elsewhere in the thread, but it doesn't look like the other three "new" icebreakers have been mentioned.

Vidar viking

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidar_Viking

Tor viking

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_Viking

Baldor viking

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balder_Viking

The Norwegians build a good ship, and Viking is a reputable operator, so they should be good boats, but I hope they're getting a good price, as all three are pushing 20 years old!

 

[MarkOttawa]

Well, it's Canada--why buy new (built here at stupid price when one could buy abroad) rather than refurbish? Cf. RAAF Hornets, eh?

Too silly. And all politics all the time and the public/voters/media do not care.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Xylric]

My grandfather's grandfather was originally employed at a Royal Navy shipyard somewhere in Scotland, and moved to Nova Scotia once those shut down. The yards he was a shipwright for after he arrived in Canada were at one time the largest in Canada. He would be most put out to know they're pretty much sitting idle these days - even my grandfather was, but that's probably because he was *from* the town surrounding them.

 

[MarkOttawa]

Official release--finally contract with Davie for three icebreaking ship conversions--if vessels are capable and have serious life in service then sure looks a lot cheaper and more effective than doing all the building here:

Government of Canada awards contract to enhance Canadian Coast Guard icebreaking capability, securing middle class jobs in Quebec
...
August 10, 2018 – Lévis (Quebec) – Public Services and Procurement Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Coast Guard with the equipment it needs to carry out its important work, while providing economic opportunities for the Canadian marine sector. The purchase of three medium commercial icebreakers will help to ensure continuity of service for Coast Guard clients and the safe passage of marine traffic through Canada’s waterways.

Following a fair, open and transparent process that included extensive industry engagement, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, has awarded a $610-million contract to Chantier Davie, of Lévis, Quebec for the acquisition of three icebreakers and work to prepare the first ship for service in the Canadian Coast Guard.

Further costs will be known once the Government of Canada has examined the vessels and determined what work is required to prepare them for service.

This contract will help to secure up to 200 well-paying middle class jobs at Chantier Davie.

The first vessel is expected to begin operations for the upcoming icebreaking season, beginning in December 2018. The second and third vessels will be converted, refit and available to support Coast Guard programs by the summer of 2019 and the winter of 2019-2020, respectively.

This contract follows an Advance Contract Award Notice that was issued on June 22, 2018...

[Tee hee] These ships will supplement the Coast Guard’s existing fleet while they undergo refits and repairs. They will conduct critical missions such as icebreaking duties for the Southern wintertime program and will be deployed as needed in support of Arctic summertime programs...
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2018/08/government-of-canada-awards-contract-to-enhance-canadian-coast-guard-icebreaking-capability-securing-middle-class-jobs-in-quebec.html

Mark
Ottawa

 

[tomahawk6]

Saw this vessel online and thought it might be a nice addition and it has a helo deck..

http://www.workboatsinternational.com/ice-classed-antarctic-supply-vessel-for-sale-asv3647.html 

Built:
1986 / UK Ferguson

Class:
BV Ice Class A1 Super / Special Service
LOA:
65.5
LBP:
58.33
Beam:
12.80
Depth:
5.35
Draft:
4.78
Main Engines:
2 x Miirlees Blackstone 8MB275 Marine Diesel Engines
Power:
2 x 2,300 kW
Auxiliary Engines:
3 x 300 kW Caterpillar 3408
Propulsion:
2 x Variable Pitch Propellers
Thruster:
1 x 500 BHP Bow Thruster
Maximum Speed:
14.2 knots
Crane:
swl 32 t

Rear A Frame:
20 Ton
Passenger capacity:
50 persons in 13 cabins
Crew:
5 Officers / 12 Total
Aviation Facilities:
Helideck for Lama or Ecureuil type Helicopters

DECK SPACE
Cargo Deck:
320 m2
Helideck:
162 m2 | Access to
Cargo Deck:
10.5 m x 3.7 m | Over Cargo
Deck:
160 m2
Price: Best Offers ( Can Guide Named Buyers)
Location: South Pacific

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Official release--finally contract with Davie for three icebreaking ship conversions--if vessels are capable and have serious life in service then sure looks a lot cheaper and more effective than doing all the building here:

Mark
Ottawa

It's a good start, but they already have half their lives well lived. However, since about six River icebreakers need replacements, they can stop the gap before three new ones can be bought and come in service (about 12 to 15 years if you start the design and contracting process now) to replace the three oldest ones on hand and then continue up to six to replace those stop gap ones over the following six to eight years. This way, you would replace the River fleet in eighteen to twenty years with no icebreaker getting over the age of forty and most being replaced at around age 35. That would be an incredible achievement for the Canadian government.

 

[MarkOttawa]

Some (all?) for Davie? What the Conservative gov't allocated to Seaspan in 2013, to be built some never never land day (later was decided the one polar icebreaker would follow the two JSS--that icebreaking vessel now supposedly mid-2020s):

Canadian Coast Guard Shocker – Ten (maybe) New Serious Vessels
...
"VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 7, 2013 – The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, joined by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and Regional Minister for British Columbia, today announced that Vancouver Shipyards will be building up to 10 additional large non-combat ships [backgrounder at link] for the Canadian Coast Guard fleet at an estimated cost of $3.3 billion [that's $330 million each, people)...

This significant investment will enable the Coast Guard to acquire up to five Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels and up to five Offshore Patrol Vessels…"

...Let’s just hope things proceed fairly smoothly from now on [SEEN NO MOVEMENT SINCE].
https://cgai3ds.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/mark-collins-canadian-coast-guard-shocker-ten-maybe-new-serious-vessels/

Mark
Ottawa

 

[chrisf]

Saw this vessel online and thought it might be a nice addition and it has a helo deck..

Built:
1986 / UK Ferguson

It's 32 years old.

30 years is pretty much the end of reliable service life for any ocean going vessel.

 

[MarkOttawa]

Anglophone Canadian media pretty much ignore CCG procurements compared to those of CAF--even the, gasp, sole-source contract to Davie for three icebreaker conversions.  So far both

1) CBC
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ottawa-will-allow-quebec-s-davie-shipyard-to-bid-on-national-shipbuilding-plan-contracts-1.4780836

and

2) CTV
https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/610-million-contract-awarded-to-convert-icebreakers-at-davie-shipyard-1.4048440

treat the acquisition as simply a Quebec story, not a national one.  And have seen nothing in print media.

Lack of serious media interest sure allows CCG procurements, including effective sole-sourcing of two new helicopter buys (more here https://cgai3ds.wordpress.com/2015/04/11/mark-collins-canadian-coast-guards-new-medium-lift-helos-sole-sourced-to-bell-canada/ ), to escape the sort of controversy that almost inevitably follows those of CAF. 

Mark
Ottawa

 

[MarkOttawa]

Sale of the three icebreaking ships to Davie confirmed--note price in US$, so far gov't has said it will be paying Davie C$610 million:

Viking Supply [Norwegian-owned] confirms sale of icebreaking AHTS trio to Canada

Confirming the identities of the three vessels that Chantier Davie, Lévis, Quebec, is to convert to icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard (see earlier story) Viking Supply Ships AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sweden's Viking Supply Ships AB (VSS) said today that it has sold its three icebreakers, Tor Viking, Balder Viking and Vidar Viking to Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.

In its fleet listings, Viking Supply Ships describes each of the ships as "Combined AHTS & Ice-breaker with DNV Ice-10 notation. Capable of operations in harsh environment offshore regions and Arctic/Sub-Arctic regions."

Impact on net result of the sale is estimated at $274 million [emphasis added] and will be booked in Q3. The transaction is expected to close by the end of August...

"The offshore supply market was very disappointing throughout the first half year, and the very weak market has caused both fixture rates and utilization to remain on unsatisfactory levels," says the company...

https://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=30090:viking-supply-confirms-sale-of-icebreaking-ahts-trio-to-canada&Itemid=257

Mark
Ottawa

 

[garb811]

Colour me confused but...

When I read this in the original release:

Following a fair, open and transparent process that included extensive industry engagement, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, has awarded a $610-million contract to Chantier Davie, of Lévis, Quebec for the acquisition of three icebreakers and work to prepare the first ship for service in the Canadian Coast Guard.

I interpreted the $610mil to be inclusive of the cost of the ships proper via Davie.

Yet the article just posted by Mark states the vessels had been sold to "Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada."

So, I take it this means the $610mil to Davies is for overhaul/fit up etc only and the Govt has bought the ships direct, making the actual cost in the vicinity of $1 billion, once currency conversion is factored in?

 

[chrisf]

We may be over paying a touch...

Usual day rate for a vessel like this in today's market is going to be maybe $20-40k CND.

Even on the very generous end of $40k,  that's about $14.5 million per year to charter a decent size anchor handler.

I hope this price is including substantial life extension upfront...

A crane and a hang are not really that expensive.

 

[YZT580]

But it keeps Davies in business

 

[MarkOttawa]

Over to you, Colin P. on Seaspan's OFSVs for CCG:

Shipbuilding program hits snag as inspection finds defective welds in hull

'Defects ... are far from uncommon in shipbuilding,' says Seaspan spokesman

The first civilian ship built under the federal government's marquee shipbuilding program will have portions of its hull re-welded because an inspection has uncovered a series of defective joints, CBC News has learned.

Up to 44 metres of welds on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir John Franklin — which was launched only last December and has not yet entered service — will be repaired before it is handed over to the federal government early next year.

It is one of three offshore fisheries science vessels being constructed by Seaspan in Vancouver. All three vessels were found to have the same defect — meaning all three will have to be re-welded in spots before entering service.

The company is still investigating how the faults happened, with the help of outside experts.

But officials downplayed the significance, saying welding problems occur on all projects and the extent of the overhaul represents just under five per cent of the joints on the Sir John Franklin.

"While defects are unwelcome, they are far from uncommon in shipbuilding," said Tim Page, vice-president of government relations at Seaspan.

It is a setback for the $687 million program and it comes as the federal government considers a "refresh" of its shipbuilding policy.

It also could provide new ammunition for critics who have argued the federal government should be buying more of its ships offshore at more experienced construction yards...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/shipbuilding-coast-guard-welds-1.4788322

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I am happy that they found them now and not later like almost every other government vessel. I can think of 3 vessel types where the welding was so bad the initial contracts were cancelled after the first or 2nd built, 70' Point class, 41' utility class, 47' Cape class cutters. Then there was the Landing/fuel barges, some of the worst welds I have every seen on vessel and one of the poorest designs as well. It seems like Seaspan has stepped up and committed to repair it and likely will go after the manufacturer of the welding machine if the problem can be traced back to them. Embarrassing for sure, I wish it had not happened, but I am pleased the inspection process is good enough to catch it. 44m of welds sound like a lot, but it's not. A 10x10m compartment could easily have 96m of welds if not more.
From the article;

"will be repaired before it is handed over to the federal government early next year."The microscopic welding cracks initially were discovered three months ago on one of the science vessels, which is still under construction in North Vancouver."

snip
"A coast guard team monitoring construction flagged the issue as part of a detailed review, the company acknowledged.

It was spotted after the first two ships, including the Franklin, had passed their initial inspections. Subsequent retesting on all three vessels turned up the same fault.

The defects were traced to a semi-automated welding system installed as part of the shipyard's multi-million dollar upgrade."