Coast Guard

Vestdavit landed its biggest-ever order, a deal to deliver  davits for six multi-purpose vessels being built for the Canadian Coast Guard at Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver. 

It will initially provide a total of six FF-15000 davit systems - one for each vessel - with options for another 10 units. This follow an order that it won last year with Seaspan to supply RHIB davits for the Polar Icebreaker also under construction for the Canadian Coast Guard.

The hydraulically operated FF-15000, which is an adaptation of a larger FF-type davit delivered for an earlier project, is based on the F-frame system that comprises a large frame with no structure behind or underneath the daughter craft. This allows for greater flexibility in the shape and volume of the boat being handled, with the main structure aft/forward of the boat.

The flexible, deck-mounted davit, with a 15000 kg safe working load (SWL) capacity, can operate in both single and dual-point configuration for optimal performance with various sizes of craft.

It will be able to handle both a 9m self-propelled barge and 7.5m RHIB, as well as a 20-foot ISO container by incorporating into the system adjustable lifting points that allow for handling of boats and containers with different lifting points, size and weight.

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MetalCraft Marine, Watertown, N.Y., was recently awarded a second contract by USCG for the new Long Range Interceptor III Program. Long Range means 200 NM.

MetalCraft Design has made many incremental improvements to the design from direct input from Coast Guard crews around the country. Improvements include a finer bow entry, improved collar design by Wing, window and door improvements for better egress/ingress, full walk around cabin, higher thrust jets, redundant bucket controls, redundant sea water systems, independent crew heating and other small yet extremely important details, according to MetalCraft's partner/contracts manager Bob Clark...

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The Department of Homeland Security has approved full production of the first U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC). The Service also received approval for low-rate initial production of the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC).

The long-delayed project entails the replacement of the Polar Star, the sole remaining U.S. heavy icebreaker.  It facilitates the ability of shipbuilder Bollinger to ramp up hiring, allowing it to deliver the ship as quickly as possible. 

The PSC is the first heavy polar icebreaker to be built in the U.S. in nearly five decades. The Coast Guard is the sole federal agency responsible for icebreaking. Accordingly, the Service must replace, modernize, and grow its fleet of icebreakers to assure U.S. access and sovereignty in the polar regions. The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to working with the Administration and Congress to fulfill the President’s direction on icebreaker acquisition.

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Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., on Thursday announced it has received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to begin full production activities on the U.S. Coast Guard polar security cutter (PSC) program.

The news follows Bollinger’s recent award of a $951.6 million fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, advancing the detail design and construction phase of the PSC program.

“Today’s announcement is a historic achievement not only for Bollinger Shipyards but also for American shipbuilding,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Securing the green light for full production underscores the confidence the U.S. government places in Bollinger to deliver the nation’s first heavy polar icebreaker in nearly 50 years. Our team at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding has worked tirelessly to put the PSC program on a solid path forward, ensuring this vital national security asset will be built by American hands.”

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The U.S. Coast Guard is asking industry for options to buy or build another off-the-shelf icebreaker design similar in size to the Aiviq (USCGC Storis) or Canada's Harry DeWolf-class. 

On April 11, the Coast Guard published a request for information (RFI) seeking "existing vessels or production ready vessel designs" for a small icebreaker class with specific requirements:

- At most 360 feet in length, 78-foot beam and 23 feet of draft
- Icebreaking capability of three feet thick at three knots 
- Range of 6,500 nautical miles 
- Endurance of 60 days
- Flight deck and hangar for one helicopter 

The type of vessel sought appears to align well with Canada's Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), or Harry DeWolf-class, which meets all of these specifications. A vessel of this class would be smaller and less capable than the Coast Guard's medium icebreaker, USCGC Healy, or the service's long-delayed Polar Security Cutter (PSC). 

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Marking a major milestone in the Coast Guard’s heavy polar icebreaker program, Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a $951.6 million contract modification that advances the Polar Security Cutter program to the detail design and construction phase.

“Securing this contract modification has truly been a herculean effort and underscores the incredible trust the U.S. Government has placed in Bollinger to build and deliver the first heavy polar icebreaker in half a century,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “We wouldn’t be in the solid position we’re in today without the leadership and the tireless efforts of the entire team at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding. Their hard work and dedication have successfully put the PSC program on a strong path forward after a rocky start under the previous, foreign-owned builder. We now look forward to receiving the green light to begin full production.”

“I am also grateful for the leadership of President Trump and his Administration in recognizing the urgent need for American-made icebreakers,” Bordelon added. “Because of his foresight and commitment to rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capabilities, this historic project is now moving forward.”

Bordelon also acknowledged Mississippi’s leadership for championing the PSC Program and state as a dominant force in shipbuilding.

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The Canadian Coast Guard today announced the awarding of seven contracts for refit and vessel life extension on Coast Guard ships. These contracts, valued at over $28 million, will see shipyards on the east and west coasts, as well as in the Great Lakes and Quebec regions, perform maintenance and life extension work on seven Coast Guard Ships.

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The Canadian government today announced the awarding of four  contracts totalling $77. million (including taxes), to perform vessel life extension work on the Coast Guard’s fleet of 36 motorized lifeboats. This will ensure the Coast Guard continues to have the vessels it needs to provide critical services to Canadians.

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