The U.S. Coast Guard released a request for proposal (RFP) June 30 for design, production, testing and delivery of homeland security cutter-light (HSC-L) vessels. The Coast Guard plans to acquire seven HSC-Ls through an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

The RFP is available here. Proposals are due by July 14, 2026.

The Coast Guard’s aging fleet of 65-foot light icebreaking tugs was commissioned into service between 1961-1967 and is well beyond its planned end of service life. The HSC-Ls will replace these critical assets with a dual-capability platform, maintaining year-round access to smaller ports and harbors. The HSC-Ls will be designed to operate efficiently in a variety of ice conditions and will be equipped with aids to navigation capabilities, providing safe passage and navigation for vessels of all sizes.

US Coast Guard Homeland Security Cutter-Light (HSC-L) Design Specifications

The Coast Guard plans to use a two-phase process for evaluation of industry proposals received through this RFP. Following receipt of Phase 1 proposals, the service intends to issue advisory down-select notices to select offerors. Phase 2 proposal due dates will be included in a subsequent solicitation amendment.

For more information: Homeland Security Cutter-Icebreaker page

U.S.Coast Guard

Boatnerd editor comments:  These vessels appear to be primarily intended to replace the Coast Guard’s aging 65 foot light icebreaking tugs on the East Coast.  15 were built, with 11 still in service, assigned to Atlantic and Hudson River ports from Baltimore north into Maine.  However, previous documents have mentioned that some may be stationed on the Great Lakes as well, possibly replacing existing 49 foot Buoy Utility Stern Loading (BUSL) vessels.  That likely depends on how many new HSC-L vessels are built.  Numerous 49 Foot BUSL’s are (or have been) stationed on the Great Lakes, including at Buffalo, Detroit, Duluth, Essexville, Grand Haven, Milwaukee, and Muskegon.  A separate program is proposed to eventually replace the 140 foot Bay-class icebreaking tugs. 

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – A recent study determined that the risk of the Mackinaw Bridge collapsing after a vessel bridge strike is low. The Mackinac Bridge Authority confirmed the bridge is at a lower risk of collapse due to a vessel collision than nationally established thresholds, the bridge authority announced on Wednesday, July 8.

The assessment, conducted by a consulting engineering firm Parsons, was made after the Mackinac Bridge was selected by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be evaluated for risk of bridge collapse in March 2025.

The Mackinac Bridge is the only one in Michigan on the list. Others — Zilwaukee, Blue Water, International and Gordie Howe bridges — were left off the list because they have piers on land (and are protected from strikes), aren’t high enough for ocean-going vessels to travel under or were built recently enough to meet current protection standards.

“This report confirms what we’ve long believed to be true, that the risk of the Mackinac Bridge collapsing due to being struck by a vessel is extremely low,” said Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “We hope this gives greater assurance to everyone who crosses the bridge that there is very little danger of such a tragedy here.”

Mesabi Miner approaches the Mackinac Bridge on her way to Duluth-Superior. – Mike Rezabek

The report is in response to a request from the NTSB to 30 owners of 68 spans in the U.S., recommending that each conduct a vulnerability assessment.

The recommendations by the NTSB were issued to bridge owners using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide Specifications and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges.

The analysis determined a total annual frequency of collapse of 0.000097, corresponding 0.0001 for critical bridges, officials said.

Read the entire article at:  Detroit Free Press: Mackinac Bridge

ST. CATHARINES, ON – Premier Doug Ford recently announced that the Ontario government is investing over $90 million through the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program (OSGP) to increase capacity in the province’s shipbuilding industry as part of its plan to protect Ontario.

The investment will help meet the growing demand for Ontario-made vessels, help Ontario shipbuilders support Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and boost the economic competitiveness of Ontario’s shipbuilding and its supply chain while creating thousands of good-paying jobs across the marine sector. The investment is part of Ontario’s ongoing work to support national security and defence, as outlined in the framework for the Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy.

“As Canada and our allies work together, making record investments in defence and global security, Ontario is ready to build the ships that will protect our country and keep our economy moving,” said Premier Ford. “Today’s investment will increase the resilience of Ontario’s marine industry, support thousands of good-paying jobs across Ontario and give businesses more ways to get their products to market.”

Through the OSGP, the province is investing $11 million into Ontario Shipyards, with operations across the Great Lakes; over $8 million into Allied Marine and Industrial in Port Colborne; more than $6 million into MetalCraft Marine Inc. in Kingston and $1.1 million into Connor Industries in Parry Sound. The funding will be used for skills training, infrastructure improvements and new machinery and equipment, helping to position Ontario as a global leader in the “blue economy” and marine trade. The province will also expand the OSGP to provide up to $64 million in future funding.

“The marine sector is a vital driver of Ontario’s economy, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the province’s GDP each year,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Our government is making historic investments in Ontario’s shipbuilding industry to ensure the sector’s long-term prosperity and generate good-paying jobs that drive economic growth for years to come.”

G3 Marquis at Heddle Marine (now Ontario Shipyards) after having her paint stripped to the primer. Mid-March, 2022. Russell Milland.

The OSGP will help Ontario-based shipbuilders increase Canada’s capacity under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, a long-term project to renew the country’s fleet of combat and non-combat vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada. As part of the broader federal Defence Industrial Strategy, Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy focuses on three pillars: construction of large vessels, construction of small vessels, and vessel repair, refit and maintenance. Supporting this work will complement Ontario’s Defence Industrial Strategy by ensuring the province’s shipbuilders capitalize on increased federal defence spending, which could reach $150 billion annually by 2035 and generate lasting economic benefits for Ontario workers.

Maritime Magazine

MUSKEGON, MI. – Before the USS Silversides submarine departs for her first full dry dock preservation in over 50 years, the community is invited to a special send-off celebration.

The preservation work will include hull cleaning to remove invasive zebra and quagga mussels, detailed structural inspection, steel repair and the application of advanced protective coatings. Officials say this will protect the vessel for another 25 to 30 years.

USS Silversides.

The send-off will provide a full overview of what the preservation project will do, along with why it’s necessary and what comes next for the historic submarine. There will also be live orchestra music, a food truck and kids’ science activities.

While submarine tours will not be available, the museum will host extended hours for attendees. Visitors can then line the channel as the submarine departs for Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

“We are at a critical crossroads for the preservation of the USS Silversides. She is one of the few remaining WWII submarines in the world, and in preserving her, we preserve the legacy of the Greatest Generation and the memory of our own hometown heroes,” said Holly Hughes, chair of the Board of Trustees of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. “Now is an urgent time to complete the Historic Preservation Journey and secure her for another thirty years, enabling future generations to learn from and experience firsthand the bravery, intellect, and selfless commitment it took to preserve democracy in the world. Please join me in donating generously to this cause.”

The preservation project is expected to cost $3.5 million. The Save America’s Treasures Grant Program will provide $750,000, and an additional $2.5 million was secured through private and corporate donors.

The USS Silversides is expected to return to Muskegon in October.

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SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – The bid for a major federal submarine contract that could have provided Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., with additional infrastructure and hundreds of new jobs was unsuccessful. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday afternoon that German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has won the right to build a multibillion-dollar fleet of up to 12 submarines for Canada’s defense. The government has chosen TKMS over South Korean competitor Hanwha Ocean to construct a fleet that will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-Class boats.

As part of its bid to Ottawa, Hanwha signed a memorandum of understanding in January to give Algoma Steel $345 million for the creation of a structural steel beam mill in Sault Ste. Marie and the purchase of Algoma products.

Hanwha signed an additional memorandum last month with the mill, along with Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, to use Canadian steel in armoured vehicle manufacturing in southern Ontario.

The deals were expected to have provided much needed economic relief to the Algoma region after 1,000 steelworkers lost their jobs this year due to U.S. tariffs and the company’s transition to electric steelmaking. With hopes for a future mill, Ottawa previously said up to 500 laid off employees could be rehired by the end of 2026.

Hanwha was “very calculated” in choosing the mill as part of its deal, according to Karl Skogstad, a professor at Lakehead University who specializes in the economics of national defence.

From a regional perspective, Skogstad said the government’s decision is disappointing but not surprising.  “The Hanwha bid had a clear northern Ontario benefit to it in terms of the money that was going to go to Algoma Steel. That’s unfortunate for the region for sure,” he said. “South Korea was a bit of an underdog, but they put in a lot of effort to try to win the bid.”

The Prime Minister told reporters Monday the decision between TKMS and Hanwha Ocean was a “difficult and close” one. “Both of them put forward strong proposals to maximize the benefits for Canadian workers and businesses. We were blessed with two strong bids.”

In an email to CBC, Algoma Steel spokesperson Laura Devoni thanked Hanwha Ocean for its efforts and said the mill hopes there are future opportunities to collaborate.

“Algoma Steel congratulates Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems on being selected as the preferred supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, and commends the Government of Canada on this important step for Canada’s security and industrial capability,” she wrote.

“Algoma is proud to see Canada investing in its own industrial and defense capability, and looks forward to the opportunities that this investment creates for the Canadian steel industry.”CBC

THUNDER BAY, ON – The 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 Ocean Traverse Nord was in the Welland Canal Sunday afternoon headed for Thunder Bay, ON, for a dredging. This is a very unusual trip for the Groupe Ocean-owned vessel.

Ocean Traverse Nord NORD was built in 2011 and remains the largest dredge of this type ever built in Eastern Canada. After winning a dredging contract, Ocean Industries began constructing this self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredge. It was designed in cooperation with Damen Group and utilizes a specialized Damen trailing-arm suction system capable of clearing ship channels and docks up to a maximum depth of 30 meters. She can unload dredged sand or silt by spraying/piping it directly onto the shore to rebuild eroded coastlines, or by dumping it into deep water. Her split-hull design allows her to operate like a hybrid catamaran during dump mode, The two movable outer hull sections hydraulically tilt upward at a 45-degree angle to open the bottom of the hopper, while the main aft pilothouse remains completely static.

Ocean Traverse Nord in the Welland Canal. [Amy Daggett]