Late last year MIL Systems of Ottawa have successfully completed an important trial for the first of 7 new Canadian Coast Guard 47' Motor Lifeboat vessels. Kingston, the first of the fleet was put to the test during a roll-over trial at MetalCraft Marine. The purpose of this test was to gauge the 47 Foot Motor Lifeboats (MLB) capability to Self-right itself when overturned or capsized.

A shipyard crane was rigged to the hull and was used to invert this 40,000 lb vessel 180 degrees underwater. The 47' MLB righted itself within seconds, completing a 360 degree turn.

This venture was made possible through the co-operation between the Canadian Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard. MIL Systems has conducted design and engineering work to modify a U.S. Coast Guard existing design to meet Canadian government requirements. These vessels will perform Search and Rescue operations on the West Coast and the Great Lakes.

In a joint venture with MetalCraft Marine, MIL Systems is responsible for project management, detailed engineering, quality assurance, technical specifications writing, purchasing of all materials and sub-contracting of the electronic and electrical work on the project. MetalCraft is fabricating and assembling all aluminium work along with installation of all components excluding electrical and electronic. Trials and delivery have been a joint effort.

More information: MIL Systems