Vessel Charter - Quebec Region, conducting acoustic science and hydrography services

Title

Vessel and Crew to support the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Quebec Region, in conducting acoustic science and hydrography from April 1 through to November 30 (depending on ice conditions) annually with options for up to 4 years (2020 to 2024).

Introduction

DFO is seeking availability of a crewed research vessel to conduct acoustic science and hydrography; encompassing ocean mapping, marine cartography, hydroacoustic research, biomass surveys of fish stocks, marine mammal critical habitat studies, as well as physical oceanography and marine geology. These yearly surveys have been ongoing and are part of DFO’s mandates of marine conservation, sustainable use of Canada’s fisheries resources, improvement of nautical charts and marine safety, as well as implementing Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan and Bill C-68.

Specifically, DFO requires a highly stable (such as a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH)) research vessel for the period of April 1 through to November 30 (depending on ice conditions). The study area includes the waters in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the western North Atlantic Ocean within 120 nautical miles offshore. The monitoring programs are typically carried out using CCGS Frederick G. Creed. However, the Coast Guard vessel is no longer operational and an interim strategy is being developed before the replacement vessel is realized.

Background and Objectives of the Requirement

Background

The DFO Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI) in Mont-Joli (Quebec Region) is an internationally recognized ocean scientific research facility. Two principal mandates are marine cartography and fisheries research in the waters of Eastern Canada.

In support of these mandates, the Canadian Coast Guard provides the services of the CCGS F. G. Creed, a 20-metre aluminum hulled SWATH vessel acquired by DFO in 1990. Originally built as a prototype vessel, it was subsequently fitted to perform hydrographic and hydroacoustic operations and has also proven to be very well suited to other activities of the Science program.

Historically, the CCGS F. G. Creed has participated in departmental research activities based at MLI and in other regions, and as a chartered platform to meet a range of requests from government, academia and industry in Canada and abroad. Areas of operation have been extensive, and include the entire East Coast of Canada in the coastal waters of Québec, Newfoundland and the Maritimes as well as the Great Lakes and the Eastern Seaboard of North America. The present operational priority for this vessel is DFO acoustic research and hydrography.

1. Objectives of the Requirement
   1. Hydroacoustic research is conducted for Oceans Habitat and Fisheries Research. Approximately 50-55% of vessel time is dedicated to Fish Stock Assessment, Marine Mammal and Habitat Research, and Acoustics.
   2. Ocean mapping and marine cartography for the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) and other DFO groups in related fields. Approximately 40-45% of vessel time is dedicated to this mission.
   3. A small portion of vessel time is dedicated to provide support for DFO activities in physical oceanography and marine geology.

Requirements

Tasks, Activities, Deliverables and Milestones

The Statement of Work outlines all requirements that the Vessel shall include to be considered capable of completing the science program as detailed.