A world-class ship builder in Wheatley has celebrated a huge marine milestone.
Hike Metal celebrated the completion of its 10th and final search and rescue boat for the Canadian Coast Guard, a contract worth $80 million and the company's largest contract in its 67-year history.
The boat is called Mira Bay, and it was unveiled before dignitaries on Thursday, much to the delight of a large crowd.
Andrea Schuld took a tour of the boat. She was very impressed with the technology and proud this nationally important project happened locally.
"Nice that we have this happening here in our area because this is such a niche thing, and it's just not something the general public gets to see or be part of. So, it's pretty cool," said Schuld.
Kim Smith has been following the boat's transformation from the beginning and also toured it. She said Wheatley went through a lot after the downtown explosion in 2021, and it's nice to see this put Wheatley on the map in a positive light.
"I think it's amazing. I've been on boats, but I've never seen it from start to finish. And to be inside, I'm blessed to be part of it. It's awesome and to put Wheatley on the map for a good thing," she said.
Also touring the boat was Dave Schuld. He went to a rollover test once and said it was awesome to watch it self-right like a kayak.
"I saw the rollover test years ago, and to see what was actually inside that rollover is astonishing," he said.
The Mira Bay will be delivered next month to patrol the East Coast after tests and trials.
Hike Metal President Steve Ingram said a bigger contract is on the way, but he can't talk about it yet.
