Air cushion vehicles
Explore the project to replace and modernize the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet of hovercraft.
Overview
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) currently has a need to replace and modernize its fleet of 4 air cushion vehicles (ACV) also known as hovercraft.
The air cushion vehicles primarily support search and rescue missions and icebreaking and marine navigation services, as well as law enforcement and respond to emergency situations and natural disasters.
These vehicles have the unique capability to navigate shallow waters and mudflats as they hover above surfaces on cushions of air, which allows operating over various surfaces such as water, land, and ice.
Project at a glance
- Shipyard
-
To be determined
- Number of vessels to be built
-
4
- Built for
-
Canadian Coast Guard
- Project budget
-
To be determined as part of design contract
- First vessel to be delivered
-
To be determined as part of the construction contract
Current status
In January 2024, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of the CCG, awarded a contract to Griffon Marine (previously Griffon Hoverwork Ltd.) of Southampton, UK, for design work services and feasibility studies.
The year ahead
Griffon Marine will work toward modernizing the CCG’s ACV fleet through design work and feasibility studies.