Aluminium shipmaker Chantier Naval Forillon creates ‘floating big ambulances’ for rescue jobs

Chantier Naval Forillon, a Canadian shipbuilding company, has been making waves in the industry with their latest project, the Bay class search and rescue boats. Made entirely of aluminium, these boats have been designed to navigate through tough conditions and tow ships in distress. This project was initiated under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which aims to renew the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet and create employment opportunities.

On May 25, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion to renew and maintain the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet of small vessels. This investment will notably make it possible to acquire 61 small vessels, including 34 search and rescue boats. Chantier Naval Forillon is awaiting the call for tenders to submit its application.

The President and CEO of Chantier Naval Forillon, Jean-David Samuel, commented: "This project is really a call for tenders that we won. These are boats that must be light. Weight is super important, even crucial."

"These are boats which, if they ever capsize, if they turn upside down in a big storm, a big wave, they will return to the right side by themselves, so the weight is really important," illustrated the Chairman and CEO of Chantier Naval Forillon.

Since obtaining a $78 million contract from the federal government in 2015, Chantier Naval Forillon has been working tirelessly to build ten identical aluminium boats, each named after a Canadian bay. The first boat, Baie de Plaisance, was delivered in 2017, and the latest one, Baie des Chaleurs, was launched on October 2.

These boats are strong, durable, and recyclable, making them an eco-friendly option for search and rescue operations. The use of aluminium is the cleverest approach taken by the firm, as the non-ferrous metal is infinitely recyclable and can retain its original form upon transformation.

The ships are strong enough to tow away vehicles larger than their size, and aluminium has a large part to play in it. The CEO exclaimed: "It's like a big ambulance!" The boat's weight-to-body ratio has been designed so that if the vessel flips undersea storms or other natural calamities, it can regain its initial position. It has been only possible due to the extensive use of aluminium in the construction.

In addition to the successful completion of this project, the Canadian government has recently announced an investment of $2.5 billion to renew and maintain the Coast Guard's fleet of small vessels, which will create more job opportunities. Chantier Naval Forillon is eagerly waiting for the call for tenders to submit their application for the new project.

Mr Samuel notified: "It is certain that the aluminium from boats will be recycled. The government has net zero targets for 2030, it has already made a commitment to recover its boats, and this is what it has already started to do."

Overall, the Bay class search and rescue boats have been a remarkable achievement for Chantier Naval Forillon and a significant milestone in the National Shipbuilding Strategy.