The first Arctic and coastal patrol vessel of the Canadian Pacific Fleet will be officially commissioned in a ceremony in which Princess Anne, sister of King Charles, will participate.
Princess Anne will attend the event Friday in North Vancouver in her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Pacific Fleet.
The Department of National Defense says the patrol ship, HMCS Max Bernays, arrived at its new home port in Esquimalt last month, calling it a “critical milestone” in the fleet’s expansion.
He says the introduction of the ship, named after a Canadian naval hero during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, will enable the navy to better meet future defense challenges in the North.
HMCS Max Bernays was built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and launched in Atlantic waters on October 23, 2021.
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It is the first Harry DeWolf-class ship assigned to the Pacific Fleet, although HMCS Robert Hampton Gray is expected to become the second ship of its type to make the intercoast transfer, the Department of Defense said in a released statement. last month.
“These multi-role ships will be the core of an enhanced presence in the Arctic and will strategically complement the capabilities of our current and future warships through surveillance operations,” the statement said.
The British Columbia lieutenant governor’s office said last week that the princess and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, would attend a series of events during a three-day trip to British Columbia, beginning with the ship’s commissioning ceremony. in North Vancouver. .
He said this will be followed by an overnight sail to Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.
The princess’s itinerary includes a visit to the archives and collections space of the British Columbia Maritime Museum in Victoria, which was founded with an initial donation from the princess’s late father, Prince Philip.
He plans to attend a Battle of the Atlantic memorial service at the British Columbia legislature and lay a wreath, as well as visit the Military Family Resource Centre.
Princess Anne is also scheduled to meet with Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of British Columbia, and several community leaders in the province.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2024.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said the ship was Canada’s first Arctic and coastal patrol vessel. In fact, she is the first ship of this type to join the Pacific Fleet.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
