8 novembre 2018 | Local, Naval
OTTAWA, le 8 nov. 2018 /CNW/ - Le gouvernement du Canada s'assure plus que jamais que nos océans soient plus sains, plus propres et plus sécuritaires, gr'ce au Plan de protection des océans de 1,5 milliard de dollars. Les deux nouveaux navires hydrographiques et de sondage de chenal (NHSC) de la Garde côtière canadienne appuieront l'engagement continu à assurer la sécurité des marins au Canada alors qu'ils servent de plateforme au Programme de sondage de chenal du Service hydrographique du Canada. Le Programme permet de recueillir des renseignements sur les conditions de chenal et la profondeur des eaux dans la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent pour assurer la sécurité de la navigation.
L'honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, ministre des Pêches, des Océans et de la Garde côtière canadienne, a accepté deux nouveaux NHSC dans la flotte de la Garde côtière canadienne, nommés le NGCC Jean Bourdon et le NGCC Helen Irene Battle.
Conformément à la politique relative aux noms des navires de la Garde côtière, les navires hydrographies et de sondage de chenal sont nommés en l'honneur de scientifiques, d'hydrographes et d'explorateurs canadiens qui ont apporté des contributions importantes dans leurs domaines respectifs. En l'occurrence, Jean Bourdon a réalisé les premières études hydrographiques du fleuve Saint-Laurent, et Helen Irene Battle a été une scientifique primée et la première femme au Canada à obtenir un doctorat en biologie marine. Tous deux ont été d'importants citoyens qui ont contribué à façonner le Canada.
Ces nouveaux navires ont été construits au Canada par Kanter Marine, à St. Thomas, en Ontario, dans le cadre de la Stratégie nationale de construction navale. Ces navires permettront d'améliorer la capacité du ministère des Pêches et des Océans, de même que celle d'autres ministères et organismes, de surveiller et d'observer les conditions marines et environnementales. De plus, les nouveaux NHSC pourront appuyer un certain nombre d'activités liées à la recherche et au sauvetage, aux aides à la navigation, à l'application de la loi, à l'intervention d'urgence, et aux catastrophes naturelles, de même qu'ils pourront appuyer les sciences relatives aux écosystèmes et aux pêches dans la région.
Citation
« Cet investissement de la Garde côtière canadienne dans le cadre de la Stratégie nationale de construction navale est une priorité du gouvernement fédéral. Les nouveaux navires hydrographiques et de sondage de chenal permettront au Service hydrographique du Canada de recueillir des données importantes, tout en contribuant à la sécurité des navigateurs en assurant la sûreté et l'efficacité de la navigation sur le Saint-Laurent. »
L'honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, ministre des Pêches, des Océans et de la Garde côtière canadienne
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DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The Department of National Defence expects the delivery of the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship by the end of March although it acknowledges there is a possibility that may not happen. The Royal Canadian Navy and the Department of National Defence had expected the first of the Harry DeWolf-class ships to be delivered in the summer. That shifted to the end of this year but that schedule won't be met. “The delivery date for the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is now anticipated to occur by the end of March 2020, acknowledging that there remains some uncertainty,” the department noted in a statement. The schedule for the first ship has been slipping due to what the department calls “production challenges typically seen with a first-of-class build.” Irving spokesman Sean Lewis noted that a final sea trial for the ship is expected in late January. After that, any remaining production work will be completed, along with rectification of any deficiencies noted during the inspection, test and trials program, the DND added in its statement. “Following reviews and final inspections by National Defence, the shipbuilder will present the ship for delivery,” it added. “After the ship is delivered, National Defence will complete certain activities to complete ship functionalities, mainly on communications systems.” The Royal Canadian Navy will then assume operational control of the ship, expected in the summer of 2020. The Royal Canadian Navy is acquiring six ships. In January 2015 the federal government announced it had awarded Irving a $2.6 billion contract to build five ships. In 2018 that deal was expanded to add a sixth vessel. Additionally, two AOPS will be built for the Canadian Coast Guard immediately following those for the Royal Canadian Navy. The ships were originally announced in July 2007 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who acknowledged the vessels were much different than his election promise of armed heavy icebreakers. Harper claimed at the time the AOPS were “medium” icebreakers and more versatile but critics pointed out the vessels were not icebreakers at all, but rather “ice-strengthened” ships that would be limited as to when and where they would be able to operate. The first ship was to be delivered in 2013, with Arctic operations set for 2015, but ongoing problems with the government's national shipbuilding program and delays in awarding the contract continued to push schedules back. The DND noted it does not believe the latest delay will affect the schedule for the other ships. The last AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy is expected to be delivered in 2024. “We are confident that these ships will help the RCN meet and overcome the defence and security challenges of the coming decades,” the DND noted. In 2017 the Senate Defence Committee raised concerns about the vessels' capabilities. “This (concern) is based on the fact that these ships cannot operate in ice more than a metre thick, are slower than a BC Ferry, can only operate in the arctic from June to October and will require a coast guard escort when in the northern waters,” the senators pointed out in their report. These capabilities should be independently reviewed to meet Canada's sovereignty needs, they added. The Senate also noted that the ships “will lack significant force projection in the form of weapons system.” “These limitations are troubling and raise the question of whether the taxpayers are receiving value for the monies spent,” the Senate report said. Here is the delivery schedule for AOPS, although DND says these timings could slip: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/more-delays-for-arctic-ships-dnd-expects-first-aops-by-end-of-march