Irving Shipbuilding launches future HMCS Max Bernays Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship for Canadian Navy.

According to a Tweet published by Irving Shipbuilding on October 23, 2021, the Canadian shipbuilder has announced that the Future HMCS Max Bernays, the third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) for the Canadian Navy has been launched today.
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Canadian shipbuilder Irving Shipbuilding launches HMCS Max Bernays, the third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship AOPS for the Canadian Navy. (Picture source Irving Shipbuilding)

The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), designated the Harry DeWolf-class, will enhance the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ability to assert Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic and coastal Canadian waters and support international operations as required. In July 2007 the federal government announced plans for acquiring six to eight icebreaking warships for the Canadian Navy.

The lead ship of the class was announced as Harry DeWolf in September 2014, and four additional ships were named in January 2015. Construction of the ships Harry DeWolf and Margaret Brooke started in September 2015 and September 2016 at Halifax Shipyards, respectively. Harry DeWolf and Margaret Brooke were originally planned to be delivered in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) is designed to conduct armed presence and surveillance operations throughout Canada’s waters, including in the Arctic. The ship will be also used to contribute to humanitarian assistance, emergency response and disaster relief domestically and internationally as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) and providing communications relay to other units.

The Harry DeWolf-class AOPS is powered by a diesel-electric system composed of four 4,800 hp. generators and two diesel engines rated developing 6,000 hp driving two shafts. The ship is able to reach a maximum speed of 17 knots (31 km/h) and 3 knots (5.6 km/h) as icebreaking. She has a maximum cruising range of 6,800 nautical miles (12,600 km). The ship has a crew of 65 people.

The AOPS has a hangar and flight deck capable of employing and maintaining the same maritime helicopters as the RCN's other vessels: the CH-148 Cyclone and the CH-149 Cormorant. The ship is armed with one BAE Mk 38 25 mm naval gun and M2 12.7mm machine guns.