The Canadian Coast Guard expands its icebreaker fleet while the UK and Gibraltar governments will soon take delivery of the first of a new series of 18 police patrol boats. Construction is underway on a US Coast Guard cutter and a rescue boat for Australia's Far North Queensland region. Finally, the Romanian government has placed an order for two new response vessels that will be capable of extended-range missions.
Trials commence on new UK Ministry of Defence Police boat
UK builder the Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST Group) has begun conducting sea trials of a new high-speed patrol craft slated for the UK Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and the Gibraltar Ministry of Defence Police (GDP).
The vessel, named Osprey, is the first of a planned series of 18 that will be built over a period of six years for various police units around the UK and Gibraltar. Design work on the boats is provided by BMT.
The craft will be used to ensure protection of major Royal Navy assets including capital ships and submarines, as well as installations in and around UK dockyard ports, Gibraltar Naval Base, and wherever else necessary.
Canadian Coast Guard welcomes upgraded vessel to icebreaker fleet
The Canadian Coast Guard has taken delivery of an icebreaker following conversion works at Chantier Davie shipyard in Quebec.
CCGS Vincent Massey is one of three ex-commercial icebreakers purchased by the Canadian Coast Guard to help maintain the navigability of the country's eastern waterways during the winter months. The two other vessels are undergoing conversion at Chantier Davie's facilities in Levis.
Vincent Massey will be homeported in Quebec City.
Construction underway on new rescue craft for Australia's Thursday Island
Yamba Welding and Engineering (YWE) has commenced construction on a new response vessel slated for rescue organisation Volunteer Marine Rescue Thursday Island in Far North Queensland.
The procurement of the 12-metre vessel is part of an initiative by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to replace some of the state's aging volunteer marine rescue assets.
The craft is designed by New Zealand-based Naiad.
First steel cut for future US Coast Guard cutter Rush
The Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) of Panama City, Florida has cut the first steel to be used in the construction of the future USCGC Rush, the fourth Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC) ordered by the US Coast Guard.
The 360-foot (110-metre) vessel and its sister OPCs are designed to provide a capability bridge between the coast guard's Legend-class national security cutters, which patrol the open ocean, and the Sentinel-class fast response cutters, which operate closer to shore.
Once completed, the future Rush will be able to carry an MH-65 helicopter and three over-the-horizon small boats.
Romania orders two new emergency response vessels
The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Romanian government has awarded Netherlands-based the Damen Shipyards Group a contract for the construction of two emergency response vessels in a series.
One of the vessels will be operated primarily in the search and rescue role while the other will focus on firefighting. Each will have a top speed of 22 knots, a range of 2,000 nautical miles, deck space for small rescue boats and unmanned vehicles, and accommodations for over 30 people.
Both vessels will be built locally in Romania by Damen Shipyards Galati.
