Innovations in the Design of a New Generation of Fisheries Research Vessel 

Abstract:  The Canadian Coast Guard operates a fleet of Inshore, Nearshore, and Offshore Fisheries Research Vessels of varying sizes and capabilities.  For their most recent project, a Near Shore Fisheries Research Vessel (NSFRV), intended to operations along the Quebec coastline, incorporation of green technologies to reduce carbon footprint, and also design features to minimize motions in a seaway were of paramount importance. 

The vessel includes a hybrid diesel-electric power installation, with significant battery capacities, allowing it to operate silently for extended periods.  The hullform was optimized with heavy emphasis on reducing pitching motions, and gyroscopes were installed to address roll motions.  The result is a 32m vessel with motion characteristics of a much larger vessel. 

The design of the NSFRV has been progressed in three distinct phases: 

• A CCG in-house developed Concept design, 

• A RAL developed Contract design, and 

• A CNF developed Final and Production design 

This paper will discuss the design features of the new NSFRV design, how the design evolved from initial requirements to final design work in the shipyard, and the processes and solutions adopted by the project teams to complete a project that began right at the outset of the COVID pandemic.  The paper will also present how equipment supplier and integrators were selected during the Contract design phase of the project as opposed to the normal government practice of leaving all equipment and integrator selection to the shipyard.