FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HERO-CLASS SHIP LAUNCHED BY IRVING SHIPBUILDING IN HONOUR OF CAPTAIN NICHOLA GODDARD, FIRST
FEMALE CANADIAN SOLDIER KILLED IN COMBAT IN AFGHANISTAN

Halifax, NS, May 20, 2014: The ninth and final Canadian Coast Guard Hero-Class Patrol Vessel, also known as a Midshore Patrol Vessel, was launched the morning of Saturday, May 17th from Halifax Shipyard in honour of Captain Nichola
Kathleen Sarah Goddard (May 2, 1980 - May 17, 2006). Each of the nine vessels in the program was named after fallen
personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and
Canadian Forces who performed heroic acts during their service.
There to witness the launch of CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M were Tim and Sally Goddard, Nicholas parents, as well as their
daughters Kate and Victoria, and Nicholas great aunt, Anne West. To have a ship named after one of your daughters is
such an incredible honour, said Tim Goddard, and it is a fitting legacy for Nichola that her name will continue to be part
of the protection of our country.
Captain Goddard was killed on May 17th, 2006 in Afghanistan during a firefight in the Panjwaye District while serving with
Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry as a forward observation officer. Her parent unit was the 1st Regiment Royal
Canadian Horse Artillery. Goddard was the first female soldier to be killed in combat and the 16th soldier Canada lost in
Afghanistan.
Internationally acclaimed rock band, The Trews, wrote the hit Highway of Heroes in memory of Captain Goddard. The
band is from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where Goddard went to high school. She has also been honoured with a Calgary
school built and named in her memory, and her legacy lives on through the work of the Nichola Goddard Foundation.
The $194 million contract for the nine Canadian Coast Guard Mid-shore Patrol Vessels was awarded to Irving Shipbuilding
on September 2, 2009. CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M will now undergo further construction and finish work while
alongside in preparation for her sea trials in late summer. The final vessel is expected to be delivered to Canadian Coast
Guard early this fall.
Great care and attention has gone into each of these vessels. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to construct
such an important set of ships for Canada especially as they so aptly honour those Canadians who have made the
ultimate sacrifice for their country, said Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding, as he presented the Goddards with
a commemorative ships bell on behalf of the men and women of Irving Shipbuilding. The bell is an exact replica of the
one installed on CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M.
About Irving Shipbuilding
Irving Shipbuilding is part of the J.D. Irving, Limited Group of companies and is in the business of building quality ships and
repairing vessels. The companys primary site is Halifax Shipyard, with three other locations in the Maritime Provinces. Irving
Shipbuilding was selected in 2011 as Canadas Combatant Shipbuilder under the merit-based National Shipbuilding Procurement
Strategy and is in the early stages of a 30-year military shipbuilding program. It is currently working on a number of significant
projects for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard.

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Irving Shipbuilding Launch of CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M / Page 2

Photo cut lines to follow
Contacts:
Deborah Page / Irving Shipbuilding / (902) 484-4552 / (902) 499-7975 (cell) / page.deborah@irvingshipbuilding.com
Mary Keith / J.D. Irving, Limited / (506) 632-5122 / (506) 650-8209 (cell) / keith.mary@jdirving.com

Sally, Victoria, Tim and Kate Goddard in front of CCGS Captain Goddard
M.S.M during her launch May 17, 2014 at Halifax Shipyard. The Honourable
Peter MacKay and Irving Shipbuilding President Kevin McCoy present the
family with a commemorative ships bell, on behalf of the men and women
of Irving Shipbuilding.

Sally, Victoria, Tim and Kate Goddard, and great aunt Anne West, in front
of CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M during her launch May 17, 2014 at Halifax
Shipyard. The ninth Hero-class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel is named for their
daughter Captain Nichola Goddard, Canadas 1st female soldier to die in
combat in Afghanistan.

Captain Nichola Goddards sisters Victoria and Kate Goddard witnessed the
launch of CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at
Halifax Shipyard. The ninth Hero-class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel is named for
their sister Captain Nichola Goddard, Canadas 1st female soldier to die in
combat in Afghanistan.

Tim Goddard, father of Captain Nichola Goddard, looks on as Hero-Class

Ship #9 is launched on Saturday, May 17th by Irving Shipbuilding. The vessel
is named in honour of his daughter, Canadas first female soldier to die in
combat in Afghanistan.