Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Sir-John-Franklin

The Canadian Coast Guard is actively overseeing several issues affecting the components of its three recently launched offshore fisheries science vessels: the 'Sir John Franklin', 'Capt. Jacques Cartier', and 'John Cabot'. Key components including a propulsion shaft tube and seawater intake valves have necessitated repairs or replacements due to concerns such as corrosion, premature wear, and mislabelling. Notably, a malfunction in a motor speed control switch resulted in a fire aboard the 'Sir John Franklin', prompting a stop-sail order from Transport Canada Marine Safety inspectors. Fortunately, this defective switch was identified as an isolated incident. Built by Seaspan Shipyard in Vancouver, these vessels were constructed at a total cost of $778 million as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and commenced service between 2019 and 2021, focusing on fisheries science across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The propulsion systems of these vessels feature forward and aft shaft stern tube bearings crucial for propeller operation. Repairs have been successfully carried out on both the 'Sir John Franklin' and 'John Cabot', with the latter, stationed in St. John’s, being the most recent addition to the fleet. The 'Capt. Jacques Cartier', based in Halifax, is scheduled to undergo a major refit in April, which includes the replacement of its propeller shaft tube bearings. The tender for these repairs is expected to close next week amidst reported signs of premature bearing wear. Additionally, failures in seawater piping and valves on all three ships necessitated part replacements, which have now been completed. An investigation revealed potential causes such as fluid flow rates, galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals, and mislabelled valves. Each ship is covered by a one-year warranty post-delivery, and as of January 2022, only the 'John Cabot' remained under warranty when Seaspan addressed its stern tube bearing repairs. The 'Sir John Franklin' underwent extensive dry dock work in fall 2021, incurring additional costs of $410,978.53 for stern tube bearing repairs. It’s noteworthy that while the propulsion variable frequency drives were under an extended material and workmanship warranty, the specific failure issue arose after this warranty had lapsed. As part of a $2.4-million refit, the starboard variable frequency drive was repaired. Investigations into this failure indicated that it was an extremely rare occurrence, with no signs of similar issues on the other two vessels. Upon completion of the refit in December, the American Bureau of Shipping lifted the stop-sail order, allowing the ship to resume operations in January.

In November 2019, a software issue led to significant equipment damage aboard the research vessel 'Sir John Franklin'. The starboard trawl winch's spooling gear malfunctioned and engaged unexpectedly, posing a risk to onboard operations. This crucial winch plays a vital role in retrieving heavy gear and nets essential for collecting ocean climate data and assessing fish stocks. Thankfully, at the time of the incident, no crew members were present in the immediate area. The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees reported that the mishap occurred during a routine nighttime patrol. The shipyard has acknowledged the problem and will handle the replacement and repair of the damaged equipment during the planned maintenance scheduled for February 2020, ensuring the work is covered under warranty.

Seaspan Shipyards, in collaboration with the Government of Canada, has marked a significant milestone with the delivery of the first Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV), officially named the CCGS Sir John Franklin, to the Canadian Coast Guard (Coast Guard). This momentous event took place during a formal handover ceremony aboard the vessel, attended by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, senior officials from Seaspan, the Coast Guard, and key supply chain partners. The CCGS Sir John Franklin, measuring 63.4 meters in length, is heralded as one of the most sophisticated vessels of its kind. Crafted to cater specifically to the requirements of the Canadian Coast Guard and the scientific community, the vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Notable features include advanced fishing trawls, specialized laboratories, and a deployable drop keel, enhancing its functionality in various marine research activities. Designed to bolster the efforts of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the CCGS Sir John Franklin will enable scientists to effectively monitor fish stock health, gain insights into the effects of climate change, and facilitate comprehensive oceans research, solidifying Canada's commitment to sustainable marine practices.