A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to attend an open house at the Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, thanks to my friend Sunil. He had arranged a ticket for me along with some of his other friends. Seaspan is a ship building company based in North Vancouver which, along with lots of other work, also builds ships for the Canadian Coast Guard. I was excited about the visit!
I reached the Shipyards at the allotted time where one of Sunil’s friend met me and escorted me inside. There were already a lot of people inside. The day was warm with the sun shining brightly. I chatted for a while with some of Sunil’s friends before Sunil and his family themselves joined us. After a quick breakfast which was provided there, we started our walk looking at what was on offer.
The most impressive was the newly built coast guard ship, CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, which is a science research vessel technically called Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV). Seaspan website stated this about it; “The Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) is a floating laboratory that will serve as the primary oceanographic science platform for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. As a Polar Class 6 vessel, it will be a highly advanced ice capable ship equipped with the latest scientific research systems. The new ship will provide increased capability and capacity to support marine surveys and scientific research on ocean currents and the seabed in Atlantic Canada. It will also contribute directly to increasing our overall understanding of the impact that climate change has on the oceans.” This was to be launched in a couple of days from the open house and Seaspan was generously providing the public a chance to look at it before the official inauguration.
Next was the under construction Joint Support Ship. This is a multi-role vessel being built for the Royal Canadian Nany. Seaspan website stated that these vessels are used for replenishing naval task groups with marine fuel and other provisions while at sea. They also support training and naval maneuvers and humanitarian operations.
We also had a glimpse of the manufacturing facilities including a pump house skid which I could recognize immediately as it was remarkably similar to some of the pump stations we had in thermal power plants where I used to work early in my career. There were other areas with overhead cranes and flat wide conveyor belts on the ground. I couldn’t understand much of these.
Soon, we went back to the Oceanographic Vessel, took some group pics there before I bid goodbye to Sunil and his family and made my way out. It was a fun afternoon!
