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At a ceremony today at Halifax Shipyard, Trevor Hodgson, Senior Director, Fleet, Canadian Coast Guard, Atlantic Region; Peter Egener, Senior Director, Engineering Services, Canadian Coast Guard; and Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding marked the official keel laying of the eighth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) – the future CCGS Sermilik.

The keel laying ceremony is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the ancient Romans, that marks the formal start of a ship’s construction. Today’s ceremony included the tradition of welding a coin to the hull of the ship to bring luck to the captain and crew during the life of the ship. The coin, selected by the Canadian Coast Guard and presented by Trevor Hodgson and Peter Egener, was welded in place by Andrew Goill, a Red Seal welder at Halifax Shipyard. Trevor Hodgson officially declared the hull “well and truly laid” at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The future CCGS Sermilik is named after the Sermilik Glacier, located in Sirmilik National Park in Nunavut.

Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), Irving Shipbuilding has delivered six AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy and is currently constructing two AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard. Construction began in April on the first of 15 River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.

QUOTES

“Today’s keel laying for the future CCGS Sermilik highlights the sovereign capability that exists in Halifax to deliver the objectives of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. Our 2,400 shipbuilders are proud to be building ships which will serve the Canadian Coast Guard well for decades to come.”

Dirk Lesko, President, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

“Today’s keel laying for the CCGS Sermilik marks another step forward in building a stronger, more self-reliant marine industry here in Canada. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are supporting good, sustainable jobs, strengthening our shipyards, and delivering modern vessels that will serve Canadians, from protecting our waters to supporting communities across the North, for generations to come.”

The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement

“I commend the work of our shipbuilders in reaching this keel laying for the CCGS Sermilik, which will contribute to a modern and capable Canadian Coast Guard fleet while supporting the growth of Canada’s marine industry. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are strengthening our shipbuilding capabilities, creating skilled jobs and delivering the vessels the Canadian Coast Guard needs to safeguard our waters and maritime sovereignty.”

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)