Hike Metal Products Limited, headquartered in Wheatley, Ontario has signed a Technology Licensing Agreement with UK-based HydroSurv. The partnership will see Hike Metal manufacture, market and support HydroSurv’s entire portfolio of Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) platforms across Canada and the United States.
The agreement marks another step in HydroSurv’s international deployment of commercially proven Rapid Environmental Assessment Vessel (REAV) technology, through an established North American manufacturing partner. For Hike Metal, the agreement is a milestone as the company enters into the rapidly growing uncrewed maritime systems sector expanding its offering to commercial marine service operators, public and government agencies and research organisations.
Founded in 1958 on the shores of Lake Erie, Hike Metal has evolved from supporting the commercial fishing industry into one of Canada’s leading custom shipbuilders. Today, the company designs and manufactures an extensive portfolio of commercial workboats, patrol vessels, research vessels, search and rescue craft, ferries, hovercraft and other mission-specific platforms. This breadth of expertise has enabled Hike Metal to deliver custom vessels for commercial operators, emergency services, research organisations and government agencies, establishing the company as a trusted partner across a diverse range of marine sectors.
As demand for uncrewed maritime technology continues to grow across North America, the partnership enables Hike Metal to extend that expertise into an increasingly important sector. By combining Hike Metal’s manufacturing capability and extensive experience in delivering specialist vessels with HydroSurv’s field proven USV platforms, the partnership brings together complementary strengths to deliver locally manufactured and supported uncrewed vessel solutions for the North American market.
The partnership is expected to support a range of organisations across Canada and the United States, including police agencies, Ministries of Natural Resources, research organisations, hydrographic survey companies and other government marine operators. As demand grows for safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible methods of undertaking hydrographic and geophysical survey, subsea asset inspection, oceanographic observation and environmental monitoring, the REAV platform provides a range of small and midsize platform solutions backed by local manufacture and regional support.
Hike Metal will offer a range of platform solutions from 2.5 to 6m length, including the battery-electric REAV-28 for inland and shelter water survey operations, where portability and ease of launch and recovery is important for day-work operations in ports, harbours and inland water worksites. The battery-hybrid REAV-47 is a nearshore survey platform ideally suited to multi-day landfall survey operations across a spectrum of hydrographic, geophysical and oceanographic taskings. For longer endurance coastal survey operations, Hike will also offer the REAV-60 with a specific focus on large payloads including ROV and towed array systems.
Speaking about Hike Metal’s decision to partner with HydroSurv, Stephen Ingram, President of Hike Metal Products Limited, added: “As one of Ontario, Canada’s leading boat and shipbuilding companies since 1958, we have strived to continually grow and develop our technology and strengths. As a custom manufacturer we have historically established an incredible portfolio, and world-class reputation.
“Our ongoing search for innovations and partnerships has resulted in our new and exciting relationship with HydroSurv entering into the market of Unmanned Vessels. Located on the shores of Lake Erie on the Great Lakes, we recognise the potential market for the application of these incredible vessels and look forward to a long and successful relationship with HydroSurv.”
Commenting on the partnership, David Hull, Founder & CEO of HydroSurv, said: “As one of North America’s leading builders of commercial aluminium workboats, Hike Metal represents exactly the calibre of partner HydroSurv seeks to work with as we expand into the North American market. We firmly believe that local expertise, regional manufacturing capability and strong customer relationships are fundamental to building trust and delivering long-term success. Partnering with Hike enables us to combine HydroSurv’s highly capable USV technology with Hike’s outstanding reputation for quality and craftsmanship. It’s an exciting milestone for both organisations, and we look forward to working closely with Stephen and his team in the weeks ahead.”
(HydroSurv image of REAV-47 USV rendering and Hike Metal shipbuilding facility from Hike Metal Products Limited)