Supporting Naval Innovation to Better Equip Royal Canadian Navy
News Release
Funding supports Rosborough Boats with design and engineering, opens doors for business abroad
August 22, 2017 – Beechville, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Rosborough Boats is making waves in Atlantic Canada thanks to its innovative Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) designs. A Government of Canada investment of more than $500,000 will allow this rural Nova Scotia business to design a stronger and lighter line of RHIBs that will be used by Canada’s Navy. The new design has captured the attention of governments around the world, increasing the company’s potential for export sales.
Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margarets, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced the repayable contribution to Rosborough Boats. The funding, provided through ACOA’s Business Development Program, will assist with the design, tooling and creation of moldings for the new line of RHIBs.
The new technology will be used to construct 12 multi-role rescue boats for the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) more efficiently in a semi-custom production setting. The highly adaptable and seaworthy Rough Water™ 8.50 will be used by the Navy in all conditions where it will operate AOPS, including the harsh arctic environment. It will primarily be used as a fast rescue boat to marshal and tow lifeboats, and support the Navy’s Enhanced Naval Boarding Party.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in initiatives that build on the region’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem, and skilled workforce.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is pleased to support Rosborough Boats as the company fine-tunes this novel model of rigid hull inflatable boats that will serve our great country and potentially others. Support for small and medium enterprises with bold ideas grows our economy and notoriety as an innovation capital.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“Rosborough Boats has been a pillar of the small business community for over 60 years. Now, through continued research and development, forward-thinking and dedication, this company is ready to grow beyond its Nova Scotia borders. This new design of RHIBs will assist our brave men and women serving in harsh naval conditions and may lead to new international export opportunities.”
- Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margarets
“This project adds a new line of vessels to our Rough Water™ series of Professional Craft. The first of the new Rough Water™ D-Collar line will be built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) for the HMCS Harry DeWolf Class ships to meet the Royal Canadian Navy’s new requirements for higher performing Multi-Role RHIBs. These new crafts will also enable us to build on our success of delivering and maintaining vessels for the Navy and various other Canadian Agencies by meeting the requirements of international navies and coast guards, allowing us to grow our export sales and the business as a whole.”
- Heaton Rosborough, President, Rosborough Boats
Quick Facts
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Rosborough Boats is a third-generation Nova Scotia boat builder, established in 1955 by James D. Rosborough to build and design custom wooden sailing yachts.
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The company evolved over the years and now builds semi-custom vessels to serve the needs of the professional marine community in a variety of sectors.
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Rosborough Boats is one of the local Nova Scotia companies to be awarded a contract as part of Irving Shipbuilding’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) combat vessels package.
Contacts
DA Landry
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-564-3617/902-578-3813 (cell)
E-mail: da.landry@canada.ca
Heaton Rosborough
President
Rosborough Boats
Phone: 902-450-3262
Email: heaton@rosboroughboats.com