Canada’s Continued Search for Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels

Kingston Class(click to view full) In 2005, a Liberal Party government promised 2 new classes of vessel as a part of a 5-year plan for the Canadian Coast Guard. Off-Shore Fisheries Research Vessels (OSFVs, essentially an Offshore Patrol Vessel with science facilities onboard) would be accompanied by smaller 37-42m / 121 – 137 foot Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (MSPVs) that can operate up to 120 miles offshore, and carry 1-2 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) for use in coast guard duties and fisheries enforcement. In terms of size and capabilities, the MSPVs resemble the US Coast Guard’s Island Class patrol vessels, rather than larger 50m+ OPVs like Australia’s Armidale Class, the USCG’s Sentinel FRCs; or Canada’s 12 Kingston Class 55.3m OPVs, with their secondary mine countermeasures capabilities. It has been a long road, with an RFP cancellation, requests for industry comments, and a re-assessment of what the budgeted dollars could buy. Budget figures have swung back and forth. Now another RFP has been issued. Contracts and Key Events Island Class:CGC Matagorda(click to view full) April 1/09: The Canadian government announces the Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain up to 12 new mid-shore patrol vessels on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard: […]