Coast guard patrol ships' issues lead to numerous warranty claims

New mid-shore patrol ships have been the subject of numerous warranty claims by the Canadian Coast Guard, including for faulty wiring, polluted water tanks, premature corrosionand a gearbox failure,which could endanger the safety of the crew, Radio-Canadahas learned.

Nine of the shipsbuilt at the Irving shipyard in Halifax at acost of more than $200 millionhave entered into service since 2012, two on each coast and five in the Great Lakes.

"It's sort of unbelievable," said retired coast guard captain Harvey Adams. "One ship I think is only a couple years old, and major problems electrical, corrosion. Thingsthat shouldn't pop up for maybe 20 years are showing up almost immediately."

In a statement provided to CBC News Thursday, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. said the ships were built and inspected according to international and Transport Canada safety requirements.

"They were rigorously and thoroughly tested in the yard and at sea under the direct observation of Coast Guard personnel prior to delivery," president Kevin McCoy said."Warranty issues that arose after delivery are being addressed by Irving Shipbuilding.The ships have performed extremely well in service."

Watch Terry Milewski's report forThe National.