On Watch March 2, 2022

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

From Colin's Desk

We are in very dark times with the horror of war in Europe coming so close on the heels of the pandemic and the protests. Looking for some positive news I was at least buoyed by the news story that the opening dates were announced for late March for the Seaway Navigation Season. This can only mean that spring is indeed around the corner, that vessels will soon be sailing in our inland waters, and that I can finally stop shoveling snow! And from the recent news releases and media coverage, it is exciting to see how busy our sector is as well.

We have resumed our Member Spotlights in this edition and are featuring Project Design Authority for the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessels at Thales Group Canada, Bénédicte Juhel. Her work lies in the integration of over 65 different systems into the electronic suite of the OOSVs, which is no mean feat! Working on some of the most sophisticated oceanographic ships in the world demonstrates the capabilities, innovation and potential that our Canadian shipbuilding sector brings to the world. We are so pleased to showcase the wonderful work that our members are doing, and to create those links across the sector to bring awareness of what you all do.

If you want to continue to support our association while also getting your company in front of our industry nationally, please consider taking out an ad in the newsletter, as this will help support our operations. Doing so, you will be able to reach government, industry and academic subscribers in all parts of Canada and even increasingly abroad as our electronic reach is Canada-wide and even growing internationally. Please contact support@cmisa.ca to discuss how we can help you effectively reach the industry and provide optimal promotional opportunities for your company. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to do so yet, please consider joining CMISA as a member to enjoy our attractive member benefits while supporting our outreach efforts.

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 hope to see you soon,

Colin Cooke

President and CEO

Member Spotlight: Thales Canada 

Photo of Bénédicte Juhel courtesy of Thales Canada

Thales Canada is one of the top defence companies in Canada and plays a large role in supporting the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Providing both in-service support and electronic systems integration, Thales is heavily involved in building our long-term Canadian shipbuilding capacity.

In the 10 years that Thales has been supporting the NSS, the company has gained a tremendous amount of experience integrating systems and technologies into Canadian ships and working closely with our shipyards. As Bénédicte Juhel, Project Design Authority for the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessels (OOSV), states, the work of creating a “system of systems” is complex these days, and a ship is so much more than just a steel hull, it’s much more of a floating computer. With all this digital complexity, Bénédicte sees her work as helping position these ships for the future. It’s really about constructing “smarter ships” by developing greater collaborations and building resilience and flexibility into the vessels.

Bénédicte’s work is to integrate the electronic suite of equipment, navigation, external and internal communications systems, as well as oceanographic systems. It’s very rewarding for her to be able to work on one of the highest quality oceanographic ships in the world. As a specialist who started off with modeling and performance of sonars on projects in Europe, Bénédicte is particularly committed to understanding the oceanographic environment. She has a strong connection to the ocean, which began when she was only three weeks old on her parent’s sailing boat in France! Her lifelong interest in oceans led her to become an engineer and then to a career working on sonar systems. When she worked for Thales in France, she was able to use marine biological studies to ensure that sonar transmissions did not have negative impacts on marine mammals.

Bénédicte joined Thales Canada just before the pandemic two and a half years ago and had to pivot to find new ways of working together with the various teams when they couldn’t meet in person. She used a lot of resourcefulness to put into place a collaborative work system that replaced email, and then helped break physical boundaries by using augmented reality glasses so that all team members could see what was being worked on in real-time.

Having worked in the industry at a time when the first women were allowed to serve on board submarines, times have definitely changed to embrace the skills, experience and ingenuity that women can bring to the marine sector. At Thales, Bénédicte works in a team where more than half of the engineers are female. She feels fortunate to work for a company that recognizes and rewards the positive impact women make.

As a member of CMISA, Bénédicte appreciates the links that are created between member companies and the broader awareness that what is happening in the industry. This awareness helps to generate innovation and engagement, as members get to know the potential across the entire shipbuilding ecosystem in Canada. Connecting members across the country helps us all create some of the most exciting ships coming down the ways. And that is exactly what Bénédicte signed up for!

Recent News

Coming Soon

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

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

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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

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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

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Current Procurement Opportunities

Request for Proposal for Pin, Toggle for VICTORIA Class Submarines

The RFP closes on March 2, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Mechanical System Maintenance – HMCS Naval Reserve, PEI

The NPP closes on March 3, 2022

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Invitation to Tender for the Lake Minnewanka Boat Launch Replacement

The ITT closes on March 3, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS John P Tully – Alongside Refit

The NPP closes on March 7, 2022

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Request for Proposal for In-Situ Fishing Vessel Disposal

The RFP closes on March 7, 2022

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Request for Proposal for the Feltzen South Wharf, Ell Reconstruction

The RFP closes on March 8, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS J.P. Tully—HVAC System

The NPP closes on March 8, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for the Preparation and Delivery of RCMP Water Transportation Training Courses

The NPP closes on March 8, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Bay St Lawrence Wharf Repairs

The NPP closes on March 10, 2022

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Request for Proposal for a Vessel Charter – Scientific Mission in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The RFP closes on March 10, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS Pierre Radisson – Spring Work 2022

The NPP closes on March 10, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for High Speed and Portable Remote Controlled Boats for ADCP Deployments

The NPP closes on March 14, 2022

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Invitation to Tender for Wharf Construction, Riverhead, NL

The ITT closes on March 15, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Woodwards Cove Harbour Development

The NPP closes on March 15, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Marine Fuels

The NPP closes on March 16, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Wharf Replacement & Site Redevelopment St. Andrews Biological Station

The NPP closes on March 17, 2022

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Request for Proposal for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The RFP closes on March 17, 2022

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Tender Notice – Price and Availability and the Otter Bay Replacement Vessel

The P&A closes on March 31, 2022

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Request for Standing Offer for Civil Marine Engineering Services Ontario Region

The RFSO closes on March 18, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for DFO Wharf Reconstruction—Harbour Grace, NL

The NPP closes on March 22, 2022

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Request for Proposal for the CCGS Des Groseilliers – Refit Spring 2022

The RFP closes on March 22, 2022

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Request for Proposal for a Mini Fusion Vessel Disposal

The RFP closes on March 23, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Customized Landing Craft Vessel

The NPP closes on March 25, 2022

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Request for Proposal for Bag, Transport, Inflatable Boat

The RFP closes on March 28, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for Clyde River, Nunavut, Harbour Redevelopment

The NPP closes on April 5, 2022

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Request for proposal for Multiple VICTORIA Class Spares – Assemblies, O-Rings, Fixture Lightings

The RFP closes on April 11, 2022

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Notice of Proposed Procurement for the CCGS George R. Pearkes – VLE

The NPP closes on June 7, 2022

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The Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) – Challenge Stream – Call for Proposals (Call 003)

The Call for Proposals closes on June 30, 2022

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Summary of Feedback and Outcomes Report – Future Naval Training System

The Tender Notice - LOI-RFI closes on July 29, 2022

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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. 

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