On October 2, the Baie des Chaleurs, a long-range search and rescue boat made 100% of aluminum by Chantier Naval Forillon, was launched. This is the eighth boat, of a total of ten, built following a $78 million contract from the federal government.
“We make aluminum, but this project is really a call for tenders that we won,” says Jean-David Samuel, president and CEO of Chantier Naval Forillon, a company established in Gaspé since 1952.
It is within the framework of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, a long-term plan aimed in particular at renewing the Coast Guard fleet, that Chantier Naval Forillon won this important contract. “The government ordered 20 boats, we made 10, there is another shipyard in Ontario which made 10,” specifies Mr. Samuel.
Aluminum is used 100% in the construction of these search and rescue boats due to its weight-to-strength ratio. “These are boats that need to be light. Weight is super important, even crucial. These are boats that, if they ever capsize, if they turn upside down in a big storm, a big wave, they will come back to the right side by themselves, so the weight is really important,” explains the Chairman and CEO of Chantier Naval Forillon.
Designed to tow and rescue ships in distress or repatriate crew from a shipwreck, aluminum boats must also be strong enough to tow various boats and navigate in the most difficult conditions. “It’s like a big ambulance,” image Jean-David Samuel.
These boats are all identical, all have the same purpose and each is named after a Canadian bay. The Baie de Plaisance, intended for the Magdalen Islands, was the first delivered, in 2017. The Baie des Chaleurs, you guessed it, is heading to New Brunswick. Chantier Naval Forillon will complete the delivery of the ten “Bay class” boats in 2024.
Although aluminum is mainly used for its weight, it nevertheless has other advantages, including being recyclable. “It is certain that the aluminum from boats will be recycled. The government has net zero targets for 2030, it has already made a commitment to recover its boats and this is what it has already started to do,” says Mr. Samuel.
In addition to rebuilding the country’s shipbuilding industry, one of the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy is to create jobs. We can say that it was a success.
The morning of our interview, the CEO had just welcomed four new employees. “We build the boat from A to Z, we employ all the trades,” he says.
On May 25, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion for the renewal and maintenance of the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet of small vessels. This investment will notably make it possible to acquire 61 small vessels, including 34 search and rescue boats. Chantier Naval Forillon is awaiting the call for tenders to submit its application.
