Nova Scotia Boatbuilder Goes Overseas

When it comes to selling, there's nothing better than showing off the real thing, and a Nova Scotian boatbuilder is poised to do just that.

Captain Hamilton Carter of DDS Exports Ltd., a shipbuilding consortium out of West Pubnico, is taking a multi-purpose and fully functional 13.5-metre (45-foot) vessel across the Atlantic. But instead of travelling under its own power, the boat will cross aboard the coast guard vessel Louis S. St. Laurent, which sails out of Halifax this weekend. It's all part of the OceansTec
98 trade mission to Europe.

"If you can't show them how it runs, then there's no point," said Captain Carter. "You wouldn't buy a car without test-driving it."

Not only will the boat be marketed but so will its component parts. DDS's vessel contains materials from eight businesses in the province and they will be advertised along with the boat itself. Nova Scotia boatbuilders expect the trip will lead to sales and jobs.

Gary Dickson, vice-president at DDS, said the components make up about 70 per cent of the boat's value. DDS more than doubled its staff to get the boat ready. Mr. Dickson predicted a similar job-creation trend for suppliers if things go well in Europe.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell said the idea of a Nova Scotian boat on display will be good for the entire industry.

"DDS is not the only yard benefiting from this mission," said Mr. Colwell. "A successful trip will generate greater awareness about the quality of Nova Scotian boatbuilding."

Marshall Giles, an engineer with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and chairman of the new Nova Scotia Boatbuilders' Association steering committee, said European markets need boats for fishing, port transportation and harbour policing. Mr. Giles said the new DDS vessel is an example of Nova Scotia builders' adapting a boat to meet international needs.

The OceansTec trade mission, focusing on the ocean technology sector, is a partnership between the federal government and the provinces, territories and municipalities.

The Louis S. St. Laurent leaves Dartmouth on Saturday, May 30. She will call at Stavanger, Norway; Goteborg, Sweden; Hamburg, Germany; Southampton, England; and Lisbon, Portugal, before returning to Canada on July 3.