At Hike Metal we are proud and honored that our legacy includes a meaningful contribution to the Canadian Coast Guard with the build and construction of many Coast Guard lifeboats.
Let’s take a moment to display the craftsmanship of work and service that we provide.
Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard is a special operating agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their vessel fleet supports Fisheries and Oceans Canada as they conduct science, conservation, and protection operations. It also provides support to the commercial fishing industry, as well as the shipping and tourism industry.
The Coast Guard’s fleet is comprised of various marine vessels including the shore patrol vessel and the mid-shore patrol vessel.
The fleet of vessels also supports mandates of other government departments and agencies such as Parks Canada, National Resources Canada, Transport Canada, and many others.
Ensuring the safety of Canadian Waters, the Coast Guard must be able to rely upon reliable ships to navigate.Services offered by the Canadian Coast Guard include:
- Icebreaking and Arctic sovereignty protection
- Marine Operations and Response on Canadian Waters
- Environmental Response protecting Marine Ecosystems
- Marine Security and Ocean Monitoring
- Assisting Distressed Vessels
New Search and Rescue LifeBoats
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is working with industry and government partners to rebuild the Government of Canada’s ship fleet and fortify Canada’s marine resources. On a typical day, the Coast Guard coordinates 19 search and rescue missions.
The Canadian Coast Guard commissioned Hike Metal to be one of the two shipbuilders building lifeboats for search and rescue. With a total of 20 new vessel constructions, Hike Metal was given the privilege of constructing 10 with a projected completion of 2025 (due to Covid delays). We were awarded the contract to build six of the vessels in 2015 with an additional four added in 2018.
The lifeboats have the ability to operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore. Each 20-meter sized vessel features a pair of MTU 1600 HP marine diesel engines that will be capable of a speed up to 24 knots in severe weather conditions that occur off the coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
The new lifeboats are stationed across Canada providing search and rescue services for Canadian families and businesses.
Refurbished Canadian Coast Guard Lifeboats
In the midst of completing the construction of the 10 new lifeboats, we were entrusted with additional work from the Coast Guard. Being among the small group of shipbuilders in Ontario able to perform such restoration work, Hike Metal was given the responsibility of giving new life to the 47 Cape Class lifeboats in need of refurbishing. Out of 26 motor lifeboats in this series, Hike Metal was entrusted with refurnishing 11 vessels, each approximately 20 years old.
This type of work requires careful engineering and calculations. When fitting a vessel with new parts, the weight distribution and stability have to be taken into consideration. Refurbishing is different from building new and requires a certain amount of discipline.
The Government of Canada said that refitted lifeboats will ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard continues to have the needed vessels to provide services to the community. The older lifeboats are in need of a makeover in order to maintain operational capability.
Why Hike Metal?
The Canadian Search and Rescue program’s mission is to save and protect lives in the maritime environment. Hike Metal has been an industry leader in providing custom boats for the Canadian Coast Guard. These boats need to have optimal performance when a person’s life is involved. Whether constructing a new vessel for rescue tasks or refurbishing the instruments in a ship used for rescue operations, it is not a task that has room for error.
The lifeboats built for the Coast Guard only scratch the surface of the custom work of Hike Metal. Our expertise is utilized in the construction of everything from tug boats to motor yachts. If a custom build is what you are looking for, Hike Metal’s reputation is like no other. Our experts can help create and give life to what you have in mind. With our modern shipbuilding facility, every vessel is built to the highest quality standards.
Hike Metals has been perfecting the manufacturing of custom ships, boats, and vessels since 1958. Our experience along with our craftsmanship has earned the trust of the Canadian Coast Guard in addition to the Canadian armed forces, and police and border patrol. We are one of the most trusted and reliable manufacturer of custom boats, ships, and vessels in Canada.
Call Hike Metal today to discuss how we can use our skills for your next project.
