At an event held at Halifax Shipyard on July 31, 2024, notable figures such as Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour; Robb Wight, Director General of Vessel Procurement at the Canadian Coast Guard; and Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding, gathered to reveal the names of two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) being built for the Canadian Coast Guard. This ceremony also included the keel laying for AOPS 7 and the initiation of construction for AOPS 8.
The unveiling of these ship names marks crucial progress for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet expansion, highlighting the ongoing advancements at Halifax Shipyard. AOPS 7, designated as the first AOPS for the Coast Guard, will be named CCGS Donjek Glacier, inspired by the Donjek Glacier in Kluane National Park, Yukon. AOPS 8, the final vessel in the AOPS series, will be named CCGS Sermilik Glacier, after the Sermilik Glacier in Sirmilik National Park, Nunavut.
The keel laying ceremony, a tradition with roots in ancient Rome, symbolizes the commencement of a ship’s construction. Today’s event featured the welding of a coin to the hull, a ritual believed to bring good fortune to the vessel’s captain and crew. Robb Wight presented the coin selected by the Coast Guard, and Angela Redmond, a seasoned welder from Irving Shipbuilding, welded it onto the future CCGS Donjek Glacier, officially declaring the hull “well and truly laid.”
“The keel laying and start of construction for CCGS Donjek Glacier and CCGS Sermilik Glacier are important milestones and further proof points that the National Shipbuilding Strategy is working. The 2,400 shipbuilders of the Halifax Shipyard are proud to be building these multi-functional ships, which will serve the Canadian Coast Guard well for decades to come,” expressed Dirk Lesko, President, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Construction of the future CCGS Sermilik Glacier was also celebrated, with Brad Bishop, an experienced welder, performing a ceremonial weld.
Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), Irving Shipbuilding is tasked with constructing six AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy, two for the Canadian Coast Guard, and 15 River-class destroyers. The AOPS for the Coast Guard will serve various missions, enhancing capabilities for fisheries enforcement on the east coast, search and rescue, icebreaking operations, and bolstering Canada’s Arctic presence.
“Canadians are deeply proud of our Coast Guard personnel and we’re working to ensure they have everything they need to protect Canada’s marine environment while ensuring our country’s sovereignty by maintaining a strong presence in our waters — especially in the Arctic.
Proudly built by Nova Scotia’s shipbuilders along the shores of Halifax Harbour, the CCGS Donjek Glacier and the CCGS Sermilik Glacier will support countless operations and missions in the coming years,” said Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour.
The NSS has revitalized Canada’s shipbuilding industry, eliminating the previous boom-and-bust cycles. This stability has allowed Halifax shipbuilders to rebuild supply chains and hone their skills, ensuring the production of vital naval assets that protect Canadian interests and contribute to international security efforts.
“Today’s construction ceremonies represent an important milestone in renewing the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. It is a great day knowing we are one step closer to having these two modern and versatile ships join our fleet, ensuring we can continue to keep mariners safe and protect the marine environment across the Atlantic and Canadian Arctic,” conveyed Mario Pelletier, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard.