BMT Fleet Technology, of Ottawa, Ontario has announced its collaboration with the University of Victoria to design and deliver North America’s first ever hybrid, electric research ship. The vessel, formerly known as CCG Tsekoa II, will be used by the University as a research facility off the British Columbia (BC) coast to investigate changing coastal ecosystems, marine resources and continental shelf and slope dynamics.
Funding in excess of $10 million has been provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge Development Fund and other partners, including industry. Kim Juniper , Lead Scientist on the project comments: “As a national and international leader in the study of the oceans we are always looking to enhance our research capabilities. With the help of BMT Fleet Technology and its marine engineering expertise, this ship will enable us to perform acoustically sensitive studies in the ocean and on marine mammals, without the thundering noise of diesel engines.”