NR – 08.065 - September 6, 2008
HALIFAX, NS – The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced today plans to upgrade the existing Syncrolift facility and construct a submarine second line maintenance facility at CFB Halifax. The overall cost of the project is estimated at approximately $47 million.
"The Government is keeping its promise to provide the Navy with the tools it needs to maintain a modern, reliable fleet," said Minister MacKay. "The Department of National Defence is responsible for providing a high-readiness Naval Task Group. This upgraded Syncrolift and facility will contribute to maintaining navy vessels in an efficient and cost effective manner."
This Syncrolift Upgrade Project will provide Fleet Maintenance Facility CAPE SCOTT with the capability to perform second line maintenance on two vessels at the same time. The Syncrolift, a platform fitted with winches and powered by a motor to lift vessels in and out of the water, is designed to accommodate either a surface warship or submarine. In addition, the shore maintenance facility can accommodate a submarine.
This project will upgrade the existing jetty's electrical and mechanical mounts, upgrade the lift capacity and replace the transfer equipment of the Syncrolift, and construct a new permanent submarine second line maintenance facility with modern industrial equipment. These initiatives will accommodate DND's current VICTORIA Class submarines, vessels that are wider and higher than the OBERON Class submarines that were used at the time the original maintenance facilities were built.
