Seaspan Marine cut steel October 27 at its Vancouver Shipyards to start production of two blocks that will be part of the first large non-combat ship for the federal government.
A total of 40 blocks will be welded together in a modular construction system used to form the ship, an offshore fisheries science vessel.
Blocks hold everything needed for a specific area of a vessel, including piping, electrical components and other equipment.
The first two blocks will test new processes, tools, facilities and equipment prior to starting full production in spring 2015, said Brian Carter, president of Seaspan Shipyards.
The initial blocks are destined for the bottom sections for the first of three offshore fisheries science vessels. Seaspan, owner of Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards, is under contract to build $11.3 million worth of non-combat ships for the federal government.
At this time, 50 workers are on the job. As the next two vessels begin, about 350 workers will be used, Carter said.
