Question Period Note: Condition of the Fleet

• Our government is actively investing in the Coast Guard’s current fleet to extend their lives so that the Coast Guard remains ready to serve Canadians until new ships are delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The Canadian Coast Guard fleet has a rigorous maintenance plan for each of its vessels to keep them in safe, reliable working condition.
• Building new ships takes time. Until new assets are delivered, the Coast Guard is actively ensuring continued service delivery for Canadians - by undertaking vessel life extension work for existing ships and acquiring commercial vessels as required.

CGS Georges R. Pearkes

• On November 28, 2019 the Canadian Coast Guard was further advised that that due to the discovery of lead paint in a work area (that requires modifications to allow the work package to continue) a lead abatement process will have to be completed. The vessels return to service date is now anticipated to summer 2020.
• On November 6, 2019, during scheduled maintenance (refit) on the CCGS George R. Pearkes in St. John’s, NL, lead paint contamination was discovered on the ship. The remediation work delayed the completion of the refit and delayed the return to service date to February 2020.
• The ship was scheduled to begin work on our aids to navigation program following its refit. As a result of the extra work required, we will review our work plan, reschedule and reassign resources based on our operational requirements.

CCGS Hudson

• On November 28, 2019 the Canadian Coast Guard was further advised that that due to the discovery of new work that the vessel will be delayed further. The vessels return to service date is now anticipated to be June 1, 2020. The ship was scheduled to commence a science program and the Canadian Coast Guard is working with Science to charter the SV John Cook.
• In June 2019 lead was found on the vessel and a lead abetment process was completed to the affected areas. On June 18, 2019, the Coast Guard was provided with a revised work schedule from the shipyard.
• On February 12, 2019, St. John's Dockyard Ltd. (NEWDOCK) was awarded a $10-million vessel life extension contract for the CCGS Hudson, a Dartmouth-based offshore oceanographic science vessel launched in 1963. The work started February 25 and was expected to take six months to complete.

If Pressed on Lead Paint Found Aboard the CCGS Georges R. Pearkes
Georges R. Pearkes
• During a scheduled maintenance refit on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship George R. Pearkes at the St. John’s Dockyard, workers at the yard discovered lead paint particles on the ship.
• Remediation and cleanup will result in an approximate 11 week delay in the drydocking maintenance schedule.
• This unforeseen work will delay the vessel’s availability to return to service until February 2020. Plans are underway to mitigate the delays.
If Pressed on CCGS Hudson Repairs
• The CCGS Hudson is a reliable ship thanks to the regular maintenance of the Coast Guard. The vessel meets all Transport Canada regulatory requirements and is fully certified.
• On June 18, 2019, the Canadian Coast Guard was advised by the shipyard of a revised work schedule, identifying an approximately six month delay.
• On November 28, 2019, the Canadian Coast Guard was further advised of a revised work schedule, identifying an additional 2 month delay to address unplanned work that will see the vessel to return to service in June 2020.
• The Coast Guard is working hard to mitigate the delays.

If Pressed on Lead Paint Found on the CCGS Hudson
• The health and safety of our personnel and contractors is a top priority for the Canadian Coast Guard.
• During work on interior spaces of the CCGS Hudson last spring, workers encountered paint containing lead. Work aboard the vessel in the affected areas was halted and containment measures were put in place.
• Employees have been provided with information and have received training in lead awareness.