New Canadian Shipbuilding Strategy

[Colin Parkinson]

You can start by getting a bunch of these 25' (or similar) and issuing 2 to each Naval Reserve unit on the coasts. Start training to provide harbour security and slowly increase that role with Class B's

 

[foresterab]

Colin's pictures can be a little deceiving for neophytes. The Canadian mid-shore patrol vessel pictured is somewhat smaller and definitely slower than it's US counterpart.

On the other hand, if you are looking at reserve units operating patrol vessels with .50 cal. only, inshore/harbour size vessel, you have to consider the following: The prairies units have no access to navigable waters of defense interest, and for the remaining, all but Queen Charlotte, St. John's, St. John and Halifax are in reasonably protected waters. Of those four, Q. C. and Hal have a reasonably large harbour where a harbour size vessel can easily operate, while the remaining two need to go out in the open, but can certainly muster a reasonable number of fair weather days to do so.

To keep it easy to quickly man and operate (short pre and post sailing checks and startups/shutdowns), my choice would be a "slightly militarized version of these CCG assets:

View attachment 91487

I guess that's sort of what I was picturing. Something big enough to reach open water especially coastal islands chains like the West Coast, small enough to ship into the Great Lakes if needed, and still effective on a support mission like OP CARRIBE. Was thinking it was the sort of vessel that the HMCS Griffon (Thunder Bay, ON Reserve Unit) could man for summer patrols and then rotate down to Caribbean for patrols during winter months?

Even looking at what is used for the smaller Patrol Boats there seems to be a huge range of builds/options out there. Good for discussions over beer on what looks right but just thinking of options that might be out there and directions to go in the absence of USN support.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

You can start by getting a bunch of these 25' (or similar) and issuing 2 to each Naval Reserve unit on the coasts. Start training to provide harbour security and slowly increase that role with Class B's

Colin, the NRU's already have one or two 26 feet inboard (as opposed to outboard engines) RHIB's for harbour defense work.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

All opened topped as I recall. That utterly sucks for doing guard duty, training or patrol.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Depends on the weather.

I've done patrol between the Chambly canal and the US border on the Richelieu on nice summer day: Glorious!

 

[Kirkhill]

Depends on the weather.

I've done patrol between the Chambly canal and the US border on the Richelieu on nice summer day: Glorious!

Too bad all those life jackets obscure the view.

 

[Kirkhill]

Saronic raises $600 million to build autonomous vessels

Saronic Technologies, Austin, Texas, has announced the successful closure of a $600 million Series C funding round, bringing its valuation to $4 billion — quadrupling its worth in just seve

www.workboat.com

The creation of Port Alpha comes at a pivotal time when the U.S. Navy is moving toward a hybrid fleet, blending crewed vessels with uncrewed systems to enhance operational reach and reduce costs. Saronic’s new shipyard will build upon the company's previous successes in developing small ASVs, including its 24' flagship model, Corsair, launched in 2024, as well as its 14' Cutlass and 6' Spyglass. With its new facility and robust investment, Saronic aims to expand its fleet of autonomous ships and address growing demand from U.S. government customers, including military and defense organizations.

Home

Providing naval and maritime forces with the most intelligent Autonomous Surface Vessels available.

www.saronic.com

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The project of the CCGS Arpatuuq Polar Icebreaker is currently concluding design details. Construction start June 2025

Construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s largest vessel to start this summer | Shephard

The project of the CCGS Arpatuuq Polar Icebreaker is currently concluding design details.

www.shephardmedia.com

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

10 or 11 decks, depending on location in the ship! That thing needs an elevator.

 

[calculus]

Bit of Irving marketing, but it's pretty well done. Still waiting for that CSC contract to be signed....

 

[Swampbuggy]

The project of the CCGS Arpatuuq Polar Icebreaker is currently concluding design details. Construction start June 2025

Construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s largest vessel to start this summer | Shephard

The project of the CCGS Arpatuuq Polar Icebreaker is currently concluding design details.

www.shephardmedia.com

Now, is the design that is being finalized going to be the one that both SS and Davie will build? I don’t know that I’ve seen it said anywhere that Davie has been involved in the current design process mentioned above.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Now, is the design that is being finalized going to be the one that both SS and Davie will build? I don’t know that I’ve seen it said anywhere that Davie has been involved in the current design process mentioned above.

As I understand it, Davie is building to the design given to them. I may be wrong on this, they might be involved due to their purchase in Finland?

 

[YZT580]

As I understand it, Davie is building to the design given to them. I may be wrong on this, they might be involved due to their purchase in Finland?

I read it that Davie would build the large Icebreaker working with Seaspan's blueprints which gives Davie time to come up with a design for the middle grade fleet while coming up to speed on the construction methodology since it has been a while since they actually built from the ground up so to speak.

 

[suffolkowner]

I read it that Davie would build the large Icebreaker working with Seaspan's blueprints which gives Davie time to come up with a design for the middle grade fleet while coming up to speed on the construction methodology since it has been a while since they actually built from the ground up so to speak.

2013 MV Cecon Pride last one i think?

 

[Nvlgzr]

2013 MV Cecon Pride last one i think?

They built Cecon Excellence and 2 Dual fuel ferries after that. I don’t think Excellence was 100% complete

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

You are correct, Nvlgzr.

Cecon ran into financial problems and cancelled Excellence midway through the build. There was to be a third one built also, which never even started. Davie tried to offer modifying Excellence, and possibly the third one too, into a diving support / ocean research vessel at a rebate (since half paid already) to any Canadian department who would want it. It didn't work and in the end, I think the hull was just sold as is and towed away.

 

[calculus]

Seaspan finally awarded the contract for the first Polar Icebreaker:

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract for CCG's Polar Icebreaker

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract by Canada for the construction of 1 of CCG’s polar icebreakers under the NSS.

canadiandefencereview.com

The cost is eyewatering. I hope it includes at least some in-service support...

 

[suffolkowner]

Seaspan finally awarded the contract for the first Polar Icebreaker:

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract for CCG's Polar Icebreaker

Seaspan awarded $3.15-billion contract by Canada for the construction of 1 of CCG’s polar icebreakers under the NSS.

canadiandefencereview.com

The cost is eyewatering. I hope it includes at least some in-service support...

Contrat de 3,25 milliards à Davie | Le Canada devance l’acquisition d’un brise-glaces polaire

Pressé de faire sentir sa présence dans l’Arctique en raison de l’intérêt croissant de puissances étrangères pour la région, le Canada accélère l’acquisition d’un brise-glaces polaire de nouvelle génération qui sera construit en grande partie à Lévis dans le cadre d’un contrat de 3,25 milliards...

www.lapresse.ca

$3.25B for the Polar Max from Davie. Partially built in Helsinki?
Is Davie still going to build the Imnaryuaq?

Canadian government orders icebreaker from Helsinki Shipyard

The project will be a joint effort between Davie's Helsinki Shipyard and its facility in Quebec.

yle.fi

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

So, no class standardization for the Coast Guard: Each of the Polar icebreakers will be a "one-off" design.

P.S. at this stage, perhaps Finland and Canada should boot the US out of the ICE pact. If it is going to be used by the US to build ships that serve to attack our sovereignty, why should we help them figure out how to build them?

 

[suffolkowner]

So, no class standardization for the Coast Guard: Each of the Polar icebreakers will be a "one-off" design.

P.S. at this stage, perhaps Finland and Canada should boot the US out of the ICE pact. If it is going to be used by the US to build ships that serve to attack our sovereignty, why should we help them figure out how to build them?

Hard to say. I think/guess we will find out more today. I rather hope that Davie builds the other Polar on top of this Polar Max e but maybe their is some sort of pissing match between Seaspan and Davie holding it up?

edit update so one offs

Construction of new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard - Canada.ca

The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is a long-term, multi-billion-dollar program aimed at renewing the fleets of the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy to ensure that Canada’s maritime agencies have the modern ships they need to fulfill their missions, while revitalizing...

www.canada.ca

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898372270214590890