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Innovation and Modernization

Irving Shipbuilding Provides Naval Simulator to West Coast for Skills Development

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) is pleased to announce approximately $700,000 in funding to support a new, state-of-the-art marine simulator for Camosun College, a community college located in Greater Victoria, serving approximately 20,000 students. The upgrade will allow Camosun to offer a wider range of courses and develop a Cadet/Bridgewatch program, growing the number of marine professionals entering a vital industry.

Funds will be allocated over a three-year period and the investment is part of our Value Proposition commitment to create a sustainable marine industry across Canada as part of our involvement in the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Within this program, Halifax Shipyard is currently constructing Canada's future naval combat fleet, including the new Harry DeWolf Class of Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (six ships) and the new Canadian Surface Combatants (15 ships). To date, Irving Shipbuilding has committed more than $16 million in Value Proposition investments toward creating a sustainable marine industry across Canada.

Continued Support of Coastal First Nation Communities

Camosun College operates two campuses on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples on Vancouver Island, and its Camosun Costal Centre on the Songhees Nation Territory, where the simulator will be housed. The establishment of a Bridgewatch program will allow potential cadets (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to stay on Vancouver Island to complete their training. Currently, students interested in seafaring or marine services must leave the island to receive necessary training.

“Songhees Nation’s economy was intimately connected to the Salish Sea for millennia,” said Christina Clarke, Corporate Executive Officer of Songhees Nation. “Forming Salish Sea Industrial Services with Ralmax and Esquimalt Nation is one of our strategies for returning to the marine economy. Camosun College has been a key partner for Songhees Nation for many years . . . It [the simulator] will be a game changer for our students.”

About the Simulator

A new Navi-Trainer Professional 5000 simulator will be supplied by Transas, recently acquired by Wartsila. This critically important upgrade to the college’s existing capabilities will widen its scope of courses and allow mariners to complete higher-level certificates. It has also been designed to comply with the following regulations:

  • International Convention of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 2010)
  • IMO model courses
  • International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Conventions
  • Regulations concerning special training: fishing operations and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operator training

The simulator’s training capabilities include:

  • Ship handling
  • Automatic Radar Platting Aid (ARPA)
  • Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
  • Automatic Identification System (AIS)
  • Bridge Team Management
  • Tug and barge handling operations
  • Offshore operations
  • Anchor handling
  • Ice navigation
  • Search and rescue operations
  • Pilot training
  • High speed craft
  • Fishing operations
  • Naval applications
  • Vessel traffic management certification and training of VTS personnel
  • Research projects for ship modelling, harbour and fairway design

Coast to Coast

Irving Shipbuilding and our colleagues at Atlantic Towing Limited, a J.D. Irving company now working in the waters of British Columbia, are committed to continued work with B.C.’s Coastal Communities and to sustaining a local support system between the Canadian Coast Guard, local partners, and the ongoing effort to protect our oceans for generations to come.

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ABOUT IRVING SHIRBUILDING INC.:

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is the most modern shipbuilder and in-service ship support provider in North America. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, our skilled team and innovative facilities provide efficient building, fabrication, conversion and servicing of vessels and offshore platforms. As Canada's chosen shipbuilder, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is working with the Royal Canadian Navy on the next class of Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) and Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) vessels under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). We are proud to continue our long history as a trusted partner in Canadian shipbuilding. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is a member of the J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies, a diverse family owned company with operations in Canada and the United States. Learn more at www.IrvingShipbuilding.com or www.ShipsforCanada.ca.

ABOUT CAMOSUN COLLEGE:

Camosun College is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia with campuses on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here. The two campuses, Lansdowne and Interurban, serve approximately 19,000 learners a year in upgrading, certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree, post-degree diploma and continuing education programs.

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