The final ship in a 10-vessel contract with the Canadian Coast Guard is getting its finishing touches at Hike Metal Products in Wheatley this week before being shipped off to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia sometime in October.
The Bay Class search and rescue vessel Mira Bay was designed and contracted by the Wheatley ship-building firm and fulfills a contract that’s been 10 years in the making.
In 2015, Hike was contracted to build six such vessels for the Coast Guard and then negotiated another four to be added to the contract, totalling 10 ships in 10 years to the tune of about $80 million.
Hike Metal President Steve Ingram was on hand for a public and media launch of the boat, which sits in the harbour directly behind Hike’s plant in Wheatley.
Ingram was joined by members of the Coast Guard, dignitaries from Chatham-Kent and the federal government and his team, for whom he had high praise on their commitment to getting the job done.
Chatham-Kent Leamington MP Dave Epp spoke to the attendees, as well as Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, Chatham-Kent Ward One Councillor Lauren Anderson and Coast Guard representatives Michel Leger and Liam Pigott.
Ingram, who came on as President of Hike Metal eight years ago, talked about coming to Wheatley after a stint in the Northwest Territories.
“Wheatley is an amazing, caring, loving community,” he said. “It’s a strong place with some incredible people. I’ve made some amazing friends here. It’s great to call it home.”
Wheatley has been home to Hike Metal Products, founded in 1958 by Elmer Haikala.
“Today is a celebration of recognition of this amazing company, the Hike team, Wheatley and southwestern Ontario industry, which I think doesn’t get as much recognition as it should,” said Ingram. “Hike probably has more commercial vessels in service in Canada and Ontario than any other builder and this remains a source of our personal pride and commitment to continue to build quality vessels in the future.”
MP Dave Epp, who brought a certificate of recognition from the Government of Canada, congratulated Ingram for the success of the contract.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to extend my sincere my congratulations to Hike Metal on the completion of the 10th and final vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard,” he said. “This achievement is a credit to the skill, commitment and craftsmanship of the entire Hike team and to Steve’s management.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff was joined at the podium by Councillor Lauren Anderson, who both presented Ingram with a plaque commemorating the vessel’s completion.
“I’m super proud to be here today,” said the mayor. “In 10 years, the boats that you’ve rolled out here. I suspect you’re going to be busier than you ever thought here. Ten years — this symbolizes the resilience of Wheatley. I want to thank Steve and his whole team for the incredible work they do here.”
“I get to see the work that is done here as I walk by this harbour almost every day,” added Anderson. “I also appreciate that the Coast Guard boats are not the only ones that are built here. Being a nurse by trade and understanding what it means to be a frontline worker, I know that you also build police boats, fire boats and also Coast Guard, so you have been at the front line at keeping our borders and our waters safe.”
The Mira Bay is a 19-metre, 75-tonne ship that will be used for rescue missions along Canada’s coast — the longest coastline in the world.
On board the Mira Bay, keeping watch over the stern, from left, are Hike Metal President Steve Ingram, C-K Councillor Lauren Anderson, MP Dave Epp, C-K Mayor Darrin Canniff, and Canadian Coast Guard representatives Michel Leger and Liam Pigott.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
Hike Metal Products President Steve Ingram, left, is congratulated by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillor Lauren Anderson on the 10th and final Coast Guard vessel, Mira Bay, being completed.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
