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Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has awarded third-generation Nova Scotian boat builder Rosborough Boats a $7.3 million contract to provide Multi-Role Rescue Boats for the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS).

Rosborough Boats will construct two of their Rough Water™ 8.5 metre Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) for each of the six AOPS vessels being constructed at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard as part of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

The highly adaptable and seaworthy Rough Water™ 8.5 will be used by the Royal Canadian Navy in all conditions in which they will operate the AOPS vessels, including the harsh arctic environment. When deployed, the RHIBs primary roles will be as a fast rescue boat, for marshalling and towing lifeboats, and deploying and supporting the Royal Canadian Navy’s Enhanced Naval Boarding Party.

The AOPS vessels are the first ships to be built under Irving Shipbuilding’s NSS combat vessels package.

Irving Shipbuilding has committed over $1.3 billion in spending to more than 300 Canadian organizations as part of the NSS. This includes over $580 million in contracts to companies in Nova Scotia. According to the Conference Board of Canada this spending is estimated to support 9,500 full time equivalent person years of employment, and generate an estimated $460 million in income, $200 million in taxes and $340 million in consumer spending within the province.

Rosborough Boats is a Canadian owned small business with over 60 years of experience constructing high-quality boats. The third generation family-owned company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, currently employs 12 full-time employees. The company’s delivery of the 12 Rough Water™ 8.5 RHIBs on the AOPS program will allow it to sustain its 12 full-time employees and create 2 new positions within the first half of 2017.

In addition, the contract awarded to Rosborough Boats is also supporting work for another family-owned Nova Scotia small business. Specifically, A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. located in Meteghan River, Nova Scotia will be building Rosborough Boats’ composite hulls and components, employing 15 people on this project.

Through NSS, Irving Shipbuilding and the Government of Canada are committed to developing a sustainable shipbuilding industry in Canada. The contract with Rosborough Boats is an example of how NSS is helping small and medium Canadian businesses develop sustainable long-term growth opportunities.

The validation of the capability and quality of their vessels by Irving Shipbuilding and the Royal Canadian Navy provides the potential for Rosborough Boats to increase exports into the international defence market.

This is an exciting time at Halifax Shipyard as it constructs Canada’s future naval fleet. Currently, the shipyards 1,500 shipbuilders are hard at work building Canada’s first two AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf and the future HMCS Margaret Brooke. The first AOPS is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2018.

Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
“Our contract with Rosborough Boats brings together two multi-generational family-owned shipbuilders that are growing, modernizing and having a significant economic impact in Nova Scotia and across Canada as a result of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. As Canada's chosen shipbuilder for Navy Combatants, we're proud to work with companies like Rosborough Boats in building the Royal Canadian Navy’s future fleet.”

Heaton Rosborough, President, Rosborough Boats Ltd.
“Working with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to supply our Rough Water™ 8.50s for AOPS reinforces the purpose of the National Shipbuilding Strategy by equipping the Royal Canadian Navy with high-quality enhanced equipment, best matched to their current and future mission sets while employing Canadians and bolstering the Canadian Marine Industry. Rosborough will capitalize on this successful relationship to further market our line of vessels to other programs in the Royal Canadian Navy as well as Navies and Coast Guards around the world.”

About Irving Shipbuilding 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 Rosborough Boats

Rosborough Boats of Nova Scotia, Canada is a builder of semi-custom vessels, built to serve the needs of the Professional Marine Community in a variety of sectors. Established in 1955 by James D Rosborough, Rosborough Boats’ origins were the design and building of fully custom wooden sailing yachts ranging in size and style to meet the exacting demands of the individual owners. In the late 1970s as boating requirements were changing and materials and building methods were evolving, Rosborough Boats changed its direction into commercial fishing and economical cruising yachts. Today, Rosborough Boats is owned and operated by Bob and Heaton Rosborough, the son and grandson of James D Rosborough, respectively. Rosborough specializes in the design and construction of boats for Naval Boarding, Force Protection & Security, Policing/Patrolling, Search & Rescue, Conservation & Protection, Water Ambulance, Oil Platform Assistance, Survival Training and General Work Boat. Learn more at www.RosboroughBoats.com.