Upcoming delivery of the new search and rescue boat for the Magdalen Islands
GASPÉ, QC, April 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Through the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), the Government of Canada is helping Canada become a world leader in marine safety. Today the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that, in addition to 12 new long-range search-and-rescue lifeboats currently being built, the Government plans on building an additional eight boats, five of which will be purchased through the OPP.
Construction of 12 new long-range search-and-rescue lifeboats began in June 2016, and delivery of the new vessels is expected to begin in fall 2017.
Mr. LeBlanc also announced that the CCGS Baie de Plaisance, which is one of the six long-range search-and-rescue lifeboats currently under construction in at the Forillon shipyard in Gaspésie, will be stationed at Cap-aux-Meules in the Magdalen Islands.
The new Bay Class boats will replace existing lifeboats that are an average age of 18 years old, and will each be named after a Canadian bay. The CCGS Baie de Plaisance will be replacing the CCGS Cap-aux-Meules, which currently serves the Magdalen Islands.
Once in service, these 20 lifeboats will provide essential search-and-rescue services for Canadians, including at-sea searches, response to at-sea distress calls, and help for disabled vessels.
These self-righting lifeboats can operate up to a distance of 100 nautical miles from shore. They will protect the members of the Coast Guard who risk their lives in carrying out their duties.
Construction of these 20 search-and-rescue boats is part of a sustainable, long-term shipbuilding plan that benefits Canadians and the Canadian marine industry. The government is committed to strengthening Canada's economy while at the same time ensuring that the Coast Guard has the equipment it needs to fulfil its mandate.
Quotes
"The Canadian Coast Guard is the backbone for one of the safest marine systems in the world. The additional long-range search and rescue lifeboats announced today are another illustration of our government's commitment to strengthening the Canadian Coast Guard through historic investments under the Oceans Protection Plan."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"The new lifeboat CCGS Baie de Plaisance will provide the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard who serve the Magdalen Islands with the equipment they need to ensure the safety of our mariners and protecting our marine environment."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
and MP for Gaspésie – Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Quick facts
- Announced in November 2016, the Oceans Protection Plan is a $1.5-billion investment in measures to strengthen Canada's marine safety system.
- The CCGS Baie de Plaisance will replace the CCGS Cap-aux-Meules, which currently serves the Magdalen Islands.
- The CCGS Baie de Plaisance is scheduled to be delivered to the Magdalen Islands in November 2017.
Related links
For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada - Quebec Division
For further information: Communications Branch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec Region, [email protected], 418-648-5474; Laura Gareau, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-992-3474, [email protected]
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