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SHELBURNE - Work is expected to start in April at Irving Shipbuilding Inc.'s Shelburne Ship Repair on a $12.1 million retrofit of the light-icebreaker Canadian Coast Guard Ship Edward Cornwallis.

Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, made the announcement on Monday at the Shelburne Marine Industrial Park.

“In 2015 our government committed to investing in the Canadian Coast Guard and I’m very proud we’re delivering on that commitment,” said Jordan. “Last spring our government announced the single largest investment ever made to renew the coast guard fleet. Building these types vessels requires a great deal of time, planning and money. That’s why also we also set aside more than $2 billion for repair, refits and vessel life extension work to be carried out in the existing fleet until the new ships are delivered.”

The contract was awarded under the repair, refit and maintenance component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and will help support as many as 55 jobs in Nova Scotia, according to the federal government.

“Shipbuilding and the marine industry fuels innovation, skills development and creates new opportunities for communities and businesses across the country,” Jordan said, adding she is confident the contract will have a positive effect on the local economy.

Work under the contract is expected to take place from April 2020 to January 2021 and will include the replacement of main engines, a new heavy-lift crane, a new bow thruster and hull coating. The vessel will also undergo regulatory work, such as pulling and inspecting the tail shafts, seals, stern tubes, propellers, and rudder. In addition, miscellaneous regulatory surveys of the sea bays, sea chests and void spaces will be conducted.

“This work is very, very big for any shipyard,” said Kevin McCoy, president of Irving Shipbuilding. “We understand how important the connection is of this shipyard and our success to the success of the surrounding community. In order to keep winning this work we have to bid very, very tight margins,” adding the Shelburne Ship Repair “did a great job” on two navy ships last year.

“We know how important it is to keep ship repair alive and well in this part of the community and I know this team will continue to do the same,” he said.

Both Shelburne Mayor Karen Mattatall and Shelburne Municipal Warden Penny Smith welcomed the news. “This really is a piece of great news,” said Mayor Mattatall. “We all understand the value of this facility to Shelburne County. Any news that’s going to bring more employment to our community is always good news,” adding the Canadian Coast Guard “certainly supports the most lucrative business that we have,” the fishery.

“This really is a fitting announcement because there are ties to the ocean. We have one of the best natural harbours in the world. Our history and culture are forged in the marine and fishing industry. It is in our blood,” she said.

There are also other investments being made on the local front such as the Marine Innovation Center at the Shelburne Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, Mattatall said.

Work on the 34-year-old CCGS Edward Cornwallis is also part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s vessel-life-extension program.

“The National Shipbuilding Strategy has clear benefits for communities right across Canada, whether it be through generating local jobs, enhancing economic growth in the shipbuilding industry and its spinoff sectors, or equipping the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement. “Through this life extension project for the CCGS Edward Cornwallis, the Government of Canada is investing $12.1 million in Shelburne Ship Repair and ensuring that we have the icebreaking capabilities needed to best serve our coastal communities in Nova Scotia and around the country.”

Since the launch of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, more than $7.5 billion in contracts have been awarded under the repair, refit and maintenance pillar of the strategy.

With a home port at the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Dartmouth, the 83-metre CCGS Edward Cornwallis is a high-endurance multi-tasked vessel, which performs light-icebreaking and buoy-tending operations. It was built in 1986 by Marine Industries of Tracy, Que.