Article Posted on : - Mar 04, 2011

The Canadian Coast Guard 'Damon Stan 4207' patrol vessel

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA (BNS): Northrop Grumman will supply bridge navigation systems for nine new mid-shore patrol vessels to be built for the Canadian Coast Guard.

The contract, valued at up to $3 million (USD), was awarded to Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit in Canada through its dealer, Techsol Inc., based in Quebec City.

Techsol will provide technical support and system integration for the installations. Six of the initial nine ships have been delivered, with the remaining deliveries scheduled for June 2011. The contract includes options for up to three additional ships.

The scope of supply for the new ships includes Sperry Marine radars, autopilot, gyrocompass, magnetic compass, speed log, repeaters and a communications suite meeting the international Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requirements, the company said.

The mid-shore patrol vessel programme is an important part of the Canadian government's major fleet renewal program for the Coast Guard. The vessels, which are being built in Halifax, Nova Scotia, will each be approximately 43 meters in length, have a top speed of 25 knots, a range of 2,000 nautical miles, and be able to stay at sea for two weeks without reprovisioning.

Five of them will be used primarily to support Department of Fisheries and Oceans conservation and protection programmes in the Maritime, Quebec and Pacific regions. The other four will be used in a programme with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enhance security along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system, it said.