On Watch Newsletter March 30, 2022 Edition

• CMISA Updates
• Member Spotlight
• Marine Sector News
• Upcoming Events
• Procurement Opportunities
• Marine Careers

From Colin's Desk

Hello all,

During this time of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, I want to salute the leadership, courage and determination that Ukrainians continue to demonstrate during the invasion of their country. Our thoughts are especially with all those who are fleeing to other countries. With close to 1.4 million Canadians of full or partial Ukrainian origin and the third largest Ukrainian population in the world, our ties are close and we hold out hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and a return to order in an independent Ukraine.

We are also reminded of the importance of building and maintaining a strong domestic shipbuilding capacity here in Canada so that we can contribute to international efforts to secure peace and order while also protecting our own borders and vital supply chains. 

In this edition we are featuring our northernmost shipyard in Hay River, NWT, Marine Transportation Services Syncrolift. Our interview with welder Leanne Caron underlies how indispensable it is to have a thriving shipyard in Canada’s north in order to provide reliable essential services to those living in our northern communities. As a woman in a maritime trade, Leanne is also serving as a role model and mentor to other women beginning careers in trades. We are so proud to be able to feature the important work she is doing!

Please note that we will have our very first face-to-face CMISA event to be held the night before Mari-Tech gets underway. We are very excited to be able to see many of you in person once again so please register here, or email us at support@cmisa.ca, so that we know who is attending.

Should you wish to become a member of CMISA and enjoy attractive benefits like these event and member spotlights, please reach out to us at support@cmisa.ca. 

Finally, as always, please take note of our new Job Board and a) take advantage of it if your company has an opening and b) send links to friends and family so that we can attract new people into our sector. We all need the help!

Stay safe and I am looking forward to seeing you soon,

Colin Cooke

President and CEO

Member Spotlight: 

Marine Transportation Services Syncrolift - Hay River NWT

Photos of Leanne Caron courtesy of Marine Transportation Services Sycrolift

There aren’t all that many folks ‘down south’ who are even aware that Canada has a shipyard that is on a water system that empties into the Arctic Ocean. When the Offshore Recruiting Services Inc. (ORSI) presented Leanne Caron with an opportunity to work at Hay River, she jumped at it. Leanne is a 25-year old journeyman Red Seal welder, originally from New Brunswick, and is truly a person who is “always up for a challenge”. Working with the team at Marine Transportation Services site on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, is, for Leanne, nothing short of amazing. In her words “it’s perfect!”

The Hay River enterprise is unusual in Canada as it both maintains and operates a fleet of eight shallow draft tugs and some 20 barges used throughout the water systems of the Northwest Territories. Based on the Great Slave Lake, these crafts provide for the lifeblood of the goods needed by numerous communities throughout the territory that are otherwise only reachable by seasonal ice roads or by aircraft. Maintaining this equipment is a challenge as the regular service and upgrade work is typically done in the winter when the waterways are frozen, and the temperatures can reach minus 50 Celsius. “But it’s a dry cold! It’s not so bad!’ says Leanne. The vessels are brought up into the yard by Syncrolift and then transferred to a winter berth where they are worked on by various skilled tradespersons. The work these teams do to make sure everything is in good shape provides is an essential service that so many people in so many communities rely on for critical shipments.

Leanne loves the place. She is a dynamic young welder who has embraced this career and enjoys every minute of it. She has been working there since October 2021 and is on a rotational cycle where she heads back ‘south’ every two or three months, and so is effectively on site for about 9 months of the year. One thing she truly appreciates in her work environment is the supportive team. A lifelong learner, Leanne has nothing but compliments for the rest of the crew and she continues to learn so much from this positive and supportive group. Additionally, the local community has been welcoming and she is quickly integrating and building lifelong friendships. She has every intention of growing with Marine Transportation Services and supporting their refit programs for many years to come.

As many of the members of our association have attested, attracting and retaining hard-working skilled trades people like Leanne is more than a challenge. Leanne truly appreciates the profile that CMISA is providing to the women in our sector, and feels they contribute so much in so many ways. When back in New Brunswick, she is part of a group called New Boots, which promotes women in the trades. She is determined to make other women aware of the possibilities and potential of a career such as welding and appreciates the support for women in the industry that groups like CMISA provides. She hopes to help promote skilled trades opportunities to young people, especially young women, to those living in Hay River and throughout the Northwest Territories, and welcomes the opportunity to become a mentor and role model. With the professionalism, drive and ‘can do’ attitude we’ve seen in Leanne, we’re pretty sure that you will be seeing much more of her in the years ahead!

Recent News

Coming Soon

Corrosion Detection in Ships (CDIS)-Sandbox

Due to delays caused by the COVID pandemic, this is the third Call For Applications for this sandbox and it is open to all innovators, including those that did not previously apply.  All previous applications are not being reconsidered under this new call.  If you previously applied you must submit a new application form as described in this call, emphasizing that there are several changes to the application form and selection process.

Date: April 25-May 20, 2022

View Online

Spring 2022 National CMAC Meeting

Preparations are underway for the Spring 2022 National CMAC meeting that will take place.

Date: April 26-May 5, 2022

View Online

CMISA Annual General Meeting 2022

We are thrilled to invite all of our members to come join us and participate in our first in-person Canadian Marine Industries and Shipbuilding Association Annual General Meeting.

Date: May 16, 2022

View Online

Mari-Tech 2022 Conference and Exhibition

Mari-Tech was created by the Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering (CIMarE) in 1976 and is the premier event for the marine engineering community in Canada.

Date: May 17-19, 2022

View Online

Maritime Security Challenges 2022

The MSC proceedings are intended to foster dialogue addressing maritime affairs in the Pacific region and around the world. What follows is a description of the topics to be discussed, along with short thematic descriptions designed to spur discussion amongst our panelists and delegates.

Date: March 22-24, 2022 Now postponed to November

View Online

View All Events

Current Procurement Opportunities

Invitation to Tender for Wharf Repairs to Structure 402 at Ingonish Ferry, Victoria County, NS

The ITT closes on March 31, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for Bay Class SAR Lifeboat Marine Infrastructure

The NPP closes on March 31, 2022

View Online

Request for Proposal for Chartering a Training Ship Regional Cadet Support Unit – Eastern Region

The RFP closes on April 4, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for a Marine Navigation System

The NPP closes on April 6, 2022

View Online

Request for Proposal for Multiple VICTORIA Class Spares – Hose Assembly

The RFP closes on April 6, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS Private Robertson VC – Drydocking & Refit

The NPP closes on April 7, 2022

View Online

Request for Proposal for the CCGS J.P. Tully – ICCP Replacement

The RFP closes on April 8, 2022

View Online

Request for Proposal for VICTORIA Class Battery Cooling System Spares

The RFP closes on April 8, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS Jacques Cartier Drydocking

The NPP closes on April 14, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Harbour Development

The NPP closes on April 19, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for SA-Marine Planning & Conservation Program in Newfoundland

The NPP closes on April 20, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for In Water Vessel Cleaning

The NPP closes on April 26, 2022

View Online

Notice of Proposed Procurement for SA-Marine Planning&Conservation Pro (vessel charter.)

The NPP closes on April 27, 2022

View Online

Request for Proposal for Multiple VICTORIA Class Spares – O-Rings and Assemblies (Tuner Stop, Mast Up Sensor, Pulley Bracket, Cable.)

The RFP closes on May 4, 2022

View Online

Current Jobs

Looking for a great way to promote career opportunities at your company? Please contact support@cmisa.ca to post your jobs.

See here for current opportunities. 

View All Jobs

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