Minister Wilkinson participates in keel laying ceremony for Joint Support Ship 2
News release
October 27, 2023 – Vancouver, B.C. – National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and Rear-Admiral Steve Waddell, Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy participated in the ceremonial keel laying event for the second Joint Support Ship (JSS), the future HMCS Preserver.
A keel-laying is a significant milestone in a ship’s construction, where a newly minted coin is placed near the keel, which traditionally runs along the length of the ship. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Seaspan Shipyards coins were laid by employee representatives. They will remain in place for the duration of the ship’s life and are said to bring good luck to the builders and all those who sail in the vessel.
Construction of the second JSS began in May 2022 with almost half of the structural components under construction or completed. When fully completed, this ship will join the first JSS ship, as the longest ships ever built in Canada.
The Joint Support Ship project brings significant economic benefits to Canada. Building these vessels will support 3,150 high quality, highly skilled jobs annually throughout the construction process. These jobs will create significant benefits for local workers, the community, and the economy.
As part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Canada is acquiring two JSS to replace the Canadian Armed Forces’ Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) vessels that had reached the end of their service. The capabilities required of the JSS are crucial to the RCN. These new Protecteur-class ships will provide replenishment capabilities, added capacity for limited sealift, and limited support to operations ashore. These multi-purpose warships will be capable of seamlessly integrating with any Canadian or allied naval task group and will significantly extend the range and endurance of these task groups through the provision of fuel, ammunition, food, spare parts, aviation support, and both medical and dental care.
Through Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are providing our RCN sailors with a modern and versatile fleet of ships to support operations in Canadian waters, and abroad. This investment will help revitalize Canada’s marine industry, create good middle-class jobs and ensure economic benefits are realized across the country.
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Quotes
“Today we mark an important milestone in the construction of our new Joint Support Ships. These modern and effective new support ships will be an invaluable resource over the next 30 years and will create jobs in the local shipbuilding industry for decades to come. This critical investment ensures that the Royal Canadian Navy and its sailors have the modern equipment they need to continue to serve Canada.“
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
"Today marks an important milestone in the work Seaspan has been doing under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This facility plays a vital role in Canada’s shipbuilding industry, in supporting the Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard and is an integral part of both North Vancouver’s maritime heritage and our present local economy. The construction of two Joint Support Ships will create good jobs and help increase the endurance and capability of the Royal Canadian Navy.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“With today’s keel laying for the second Joint Support Ship, we celebrate progress on this important project that will enhance the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational readiness in Canadian waters and abroad. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, our government remains committed to providing members of the Royal Canadian Navy with the equipment they need, while maximizing economic benefits for Canada.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada
“Today’s keel-laying ceremony celebrates another key milestone in our government’s commitment to providing the Royal Canadian Navy with modern ships to do their important work. Thanks to this investment, we will support high-value jobs across Canada’s marine industry and the broader marine supply chain across Canada, while delivering economic benefits to Canadians.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation Science and Industry
“Today’s keel-laying ceremony is a significant milestone in a ship’s development, and marks the beginning of construction of the future HMCS Preserver. This is yet another step forward on the path to building our Navy. It’s truly exciting to see the incredible progress being made, and the exceptional teamwork and dedication of everyone involved in the construction and ultimate delivery to our fleet.”
Rear Admiral Steve Waddell, Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
“Today, Seaspan Shipyards has taken another critical step towards providing the Royal Canadian Navy with the ships they need to go into harm’s way and ensure Canada’s security and sovereignty in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment. Through investments in technology, process improvements, and skills upgrading, and by rigorously applying lessons learned from earlier ships we have built, Seaspan is on course to deliver ships faster and for lower cost to Canada.”
John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards
Quick facts
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Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada is revitalizing the RCN’s fleet of ships to ensure that members have the equipment needed to do their jobs and protect Canadians. The NSS is a long-term, multi-billion-dollar program focused on renewing the Canadian Coast Guard and RCN fleets to ensure that Canada’s marine agencies have the modern ships they need to fulfill their missions, while revitalizing Canada’s marine industry, creating good middle-class jobs and ensuring economic benefits are realized across the country.
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After the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, the JSS is the second class of Royal Canadian Navy ships being constructed by Canadian shipyards, as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
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These ships are being built in modular blocks, and don’t have a traditional keel that runs the length of the ship. As a result, the coins were placed in an area near the centre section of the ship.
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The silver $10 RCN coin showcases an Indigenous design featuring a salmon to represent the Coast Salish people on whose lands the ship is being built. The design for the lucky shipyard coin features the badge of the future HMCS Preserver on one side, and the crests/logos of the key members of the Government of Canada and Seaspan Shipyards JSS project team on the back.
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Contacts
Daniel Minden
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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