A ship building company in Wheatley has received another big contract to refurbish several lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Hike Metal Products Ltd. has landed a $25.5 million deal to refit and extend the life of 11 lifeboats.
Company President Steve Ingram said the first vessel arrived about a month ago and the project will keep the company busy for several years.
"Each boat will take approximately six months," said Ingram. "It's good news for everybody. Certainly for our employees that's for sure and anyone who wants to join us."
Ingram said Hike Metal is also half way through an $80 million contract to build new vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and this new project is to try and get at least another 10 years out of the old vessels while they get new ones built.
Ingram said the company is always looking to hire skilled workers with marine experience but it's difficult in a rural area like Wheatley.
The retrofit for the regional fleet will include replacing the aging and outdated electronics with new state-of-the-art equipment, checking doors, hatches, and hand railings, a new paint job, a hull inspection, checking fire pumps, and more.
Public Services and Procurement Canada said four companies were awarded contracts worth a total of $77.1 million to refurbish all 36 Coast Guard vessels across Canada and Hike Metal was the sole company from Ontario. The contracts were awarded to companies in regions where the Coast Guard has motorized lifeboats.
The Government of Canada said the refitted lifeboats will ensure the Coast Guard continues to have the vessels it needs to provide critical services to Canadians, including responding to marine distress calls.
"The National Shipbuilding Strategy is providing members of the Canadian Coast Guard with modern equipment to carry out their important work, while revitalizing Canada’s marine industry, creating jobs, and generating socio-economic benefits and prosperity in communities across the country," read a news release from the Government of Canada.
The Canadian government said the motorized lifeboats were built in phases over the last 23 years and require vessel life extension in order to maintain operational capability and to ensure their safe and reliable operation for a minimum of 15 years.
The federal government also noted these contracts help shipyards and suppliers stay afloat and maintain jobs.
Hike Metal was established in 1958.
