Fewer new Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels for Canadian Coast Guard

Quelle surprise. A year ago the government could not afford the planned twelve, to be built in Canada by policy (of all governments). Then maybe the number decreased to ten, with reduced capabilities. Then in late February this year "Ottawa issued a notice this week indicating it intends to put the project for 'up to 12' midshore patrol vessels back out to tender"--with unclear capabilities. Then in April I wrote:

The Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel saga is yet another sorry procurement effort. Nobody in Canada could build them for what the government was willing to pay. So now some shipbuilder in Canada will have to buy a foreign design and then build it in Canada. Not a way to get the best vessel for the best price. But I suppose better than paying even more by trying to design it here. Might the same thing happen with the Navy's Joint Support Ships and Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships [latest on the A/OPS here]? Still a wasteful way to try to maintain a wasting industry for political advantage...

And now we end up with only nine vessels:

Halifax Shipyard lands $194-million contract
Nine patrol vessels to be built for Canadian Coast Guard
...
The $194-million contract was announced Wednesday by Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea.

“The mid-shore patrol vessels to be built under the contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. are a new model for the coast guard,” the minister told a late morning press conference. “With greater speed, broader range and the ability to better operate in difficult environmental conditions, these ships will be more effective and efficient,” she said.

These will be the first large new ships the coast guard will receive in over 20 years [emphasis added, now doesn't that say something about our governments?], Coast Guard Commissioner George Da Pont, said in an interview. “These will be state of art and really improve the capability of the coast guard and our enforcement partners,” he said.

The minister said preliminary work will begin immediately with the first vessel to be ready for service in the fall of 2011. The remaining vessels are to be in service by 2013...

More from the official news release--what it's all about:

...

“Our government is following through on its commitment to having federal ships built in Canada,” said [Minister of National Defence] Minister MacKay “This investment gives a significant boost to the Coast Guard fleet and to our shipbuilding industry – creating jobs and supporting local businesses.” [The CCG is under the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, but Mr MacKay is also the Conservatives' Poo-Bah for the maritimes.]

Through Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy, the Government will ensure that the maximum economic benefit to Canada is generated as a result of the purchase of these new ships.

“The IRB Policy is a key element of the government’s procurement process,” said Industry Minister Tony Clement. “Canada’s IRB Policy requires that 100% of this contract’s value will be reinvested in Canada, creating opportunities, jobs and helping our long-term industrial development.”

Halifax Shipyard estimates up to 155 people will be employed by the project over the next four years. For the greater Halifax community this means an added $35 million in payroll. As well, the company estimated that approximately 50 local Nova Scotian suppliers will benefit from about $32 million in purchases of local goods and services. This is in addition to 130 estimated suppliers from the rest of Canada...

The new mid-shore patrol vessels will replace existing vessels nearing the end of their life expectancies. Five of the vessels will be used primarily to support Department of Fisheries and Oceans conservation and protection programs in the Maritimes, Quebec and Pacific Regions.

The other four vessels will be used in a joint program with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enhance the maritime security along the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway system...

That's the same number for Great Lakes maritime security as originally planned. So I guess it's the fisheries duties that will be short three originally planned vessels.

And from the "Backgrounder":

These new mid-shore patrol vessels are a new type of vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard. Each vessel will support a crew of eight and up to six RCMP Officers or Fishery Officers. Each vessel will be approximately 43 metres in length, have a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 2000 nautical miles, and be able to stay at sea for two weeks without reprovisioning.

With greater speed and range, and the ability to better operate in difficult environmental conditions, these new vessels will be able to perform duties more efficiently.

Artist's rendering of the new mid-shore patrol vessel

A couple of questions: Are the vessels in fact based on a design purchased abroad? Have their capabilities been reduced, and if so how significantly? I find it remarkable that the "Backgrounder" is so sparse with technical details and specifications.

Compare with British acquisition of dreadnoughts in 1909 (a silly comparison, admittedly):

...The public demanded eight new battleships instead of the four the government had planned for that year. As Winston Churchill put it, “The Admiralty had demanded six ships; the economists offered four; and we finally compromised on eight”...

Update: How the number of vessels will be got up to twelve:

...
Assistant [CCG] commissioner [Maritimes region, Nancy] Hurlburt said eight of the ships will replace existing vessels, meaning the fleet will grow by one ship. They also plan to recondition three older ships, but have not decided which ones...

The most recently built existing Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (none since 1991) are here, here and here. There are also two Offshore Patrol Vessels from the 80s, here and here that might be refurbished. The current fleet of both types of vessels (seven and four respectively) totals eleven; so there will be an increase of one patrol vessel overall--but very likely at least two fewer Offshore vessels as two of them are pretty ancient.