Seaspan Shipyards has awarded Belleville’s BCS Automation Ltd. a contract for work on the Government of Canada’s new Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV). BCS is the most recent supplier to partner with Seaspan in its work on the OOSV program.
BCS is one of more than 570 Canadian suppliers contributing toward the National Shipbuilding Strategy. BCS is a family-owned small business located at 121 Dundas St. East. Established in 1989, BCS continually utilizes the experience of its engineering team and global connections to design innovative systems that provide custom solutions to international industrial and marine and offshore organizations. It specializes in automated systems for the marine, offshore and cement industries. BCS represents one of almost 80 Ontario suppliers to date that Seaspan is working with to meet its commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
BCS is supplying a state of the art ship control and monitoring system for the OOSV. The system is designed to provide ship personnel with all the basic alarms and status information they require in order to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the machinery, auxiliary systems and other relevant equipment. The system features built-in self-diagnostics, an intuitive, user-friendly interface and a fail-safe redundant network to enhance safety and reliability. BCS has previous experience working on NSS projects having been subcontracted by Hawboldt Industries to design and build the winch drive system for the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV).
BCS General Manager Nathan Bowland said the firm, which has 14 employees, has been able to expand its Belleville office, and will hire several more workers as a result of being granted the new contract worth more than $1 million. The work will take several years to complete.
“On behalf of BCS Automation I am pleased to announce that our company has been awarded a contract by Seaspan for work on the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel,” stated Bowland. “At BCS we pride ourselves in being able to successfully deliver reliable turn-key solutions to complex automation issues. We are proud of our partnership with Seaspan and of our participation in the National Shipbuilding Strategy as we work to help deliver a world class vessel that meets the unique needs of the Canadian Coast Guard.”
“Today’s announcement is a prime example of how the National Shipbuilding Strategy is contributing to a strong, sustainable marine sector in large and small communities across Canada,” stated Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility. “This state-of-the-art control and monitoring system will provide Canadian Coast Guard personnel with the tools they need to safely and efficiently operate the future Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel.”
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Jonathan Wilkinson said, “The Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel is the second class of Canadian Coast Guard vessels being built by Seaspan Shipyards and demonstrates our government’s commitment to the renewal of the Coast Guard Fleet. This new vessel will provide our scientists with the platform they need to monitor and protect our oceans, and marine and coastal areas.”
“Seaspan Shipyards’ work under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is rebuilding a marine supply chain across Canada. This contract with BCS Automation is the latest example of the supply chain development which is creating and sustaining highly skilled middle class Canadian jobs,” noted Mark Lamarre, chief executive officer, Seaspan Shipyards.
Source: https://bit.ly/2PEvsTS
