Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador - The Canadian Coast Guard plays an essential role in keeping Canadian waters safe and helping mariners in need of assistance. Providing Canadian Coast Guard personnel with the vessels they need to deliver these critical services is a priority for the Government of Canada.
Today, Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, was in Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador, to dedicate the CCGS Barrington Bay into service. The CCGS Barrington Bay is a high-endurance Search and Rescue Lifeboat that has been in operation in Newfoundland and Labrador since November 2023. Built by Hike Metal Products Ltd from Wheatley, Ontario, this vessel is the 15th "Bay Class" Search and Rescue Lifeboat delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard since 2017.
By tradition, a representative was invited to sponsor the vessel for its well-being and continued service, and to wish the vessel "good luck." Today's ceremony included the breaking of a ceremonial bottle on the CCGS Barrington Bay's bow by the vessel sponsor, Jerry Wagg. Mr. Wagg is a Burin local who has spent his life working in Canada's marine industry and is well known among regional Canadian Coast Guard personnel.
The dedication of the CCGS Barrington Bay marks another important milestone in the construction and delivery of a total of 20 Search and Rescue Lifeboats. This achievement is a significant step in providing the Canadian Coast Guard with safe, modern, and Canadian-made equipment. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is investing in the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet and creating jobs in Canada's shipbuilding industry and marine sector.
As of the end of 2023, over $26.5 billion in federal contracts under the National Shipbuilding Strategy have been awarded to businesses across Canada. Of this amount, $5.38 billion is related to contracts for the Canadian Coast Guard.
