More than 3,300 British Columbians flocked to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards to attend an Open House hosted by Canada’s Non-Combat Shipbuilder on October 1.
During the event, attendees received an up-close look at the facility, and witnessed the unveiling of the first vessel to be designed and built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) – the Canadian Coast Guard’s first Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV).
“Today is a historic day for the women and men of Seaspan Shipyards as we deliver on our commitments to the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy,” said Brian Carter, President & CEO – Seaspan Shipyards. “In the unveiling of the first Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel, we are affirming our long-term commitment to Canada and our leading role in the growth of a West Coast centre of excellence in shipbuilding and ship repair.”
In addition to the unveiling of OFSV 1, Open House guests also got a firsthand look at the visible progress of OFSVs 2 and 3, received a series of guided facility demonstrations, posed at a photo booth in front of Big Blue – Canada’s largest permanent gantry crane, and also participated in a number of fun family activities. The event saw guests interact with workers and learn about Seaspan’s efforts to rebuild Canada’s domestic shipbuilding industry.
In October 2011, after an open and competitive procurement process, the Government of Canada awarded Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards the opportunity to build Canada’s Non-Combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy.