HMCS Margaret Brooke explained

HMCS Margaret Brooke (AOPV 431) is the second for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The class was derived from the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship project as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is primarily designed for the patrol and support of Canada's Arctic regions. Named after Sub-Lieutenant Margaret Brooke, an RCN nursing sister who tried to save another person during the sinking of the ferry during World War II. Margaret Brooke was ordered in 2011, laid down in 2016 and launched in 2019. The vessel began contractor sea trials in May 2021, and she was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy for post-acceptance sea trials on 15 July 2021. The official naming ceremony for the ship was conducted on 29 May 2022 in conjunction with that for sister ship . The vessel was commissioned on 28 October 2022.

Design and description

The s are designed for use in the Arctic regions of Canada for patrol and support within Canada's exclusive economic zone. The vessel is 103.6m (339.9feet) long overall with a beam of 19m (62feet). The ship has a displacement of 6615MT. The ship has an enclosed foredeck that protects machinery and work spaces from Arctic climates. The vessel is powered by a diesel-electric system composed of four 3.6MW MAN 6L32/44CR four-stroke medium-speed diesel generators and two electric propulsion motors rated at driving two shafts. Margaret Brooke is capable of 17kn in open water and in 1m (03feet) first-year sea ice.[1] The ship is also equipped with a bow thruster to aid during manoeuvres and docking procedures without requiring tugboat assistance.[2] The ship has a range of 6800nmi and an endurance of 120 days.[3] Margaret Brooke is equipped with fin stabilizers to decrease roll in open water but can be retracted during icebreaking.[4] [5] [6]

Margaret Brooke is able to deploy with multiple payloads, including shipping containers, underwater survey equipment or landing craft. Payload operations are aided by a 20MT crane for loading and unloading. The ship is equipped with a vehicle bay which can hold can pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The ship also has two 8.5m (27.9feet) multi-role rescue boats capable of over . The ship is armed with one BAE Mk 38 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on gun and two M2 Browning machine guns. The patrol ship has an onboard hangar and flight deck for helicopters up to the size of a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone. Margaret Brooke has a complement of 65 and accommodation for 85[4] [5] [6] or 87.[7]

Service history

The order for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships was placed on 19 October 2011 with Irving Shipyards of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.[8] The ship was constructed in 62 blocks, which were then pieced together into three larger blocks. These three "mega blocks" were fitted together to form the hull of the ship.[4] On 13 April 2015 the government announced a second ship would be named Margaret Brooke. During World War II, Margaret Brooke, a navy nursing sister, was decorated for her actions during the sinking of the passenger ferry .[9] [10] The vessel's keel was laid down on 29 May 2017[11] and the vessel was launched on 10 November 2019.[12] The ship began contractor sea trials in May 2021.[13] The vessel was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy for post-acceptance sea trials on 15 July 2021.[14] The naming ceremony was held on 29 May 2022 in conjunction with that for sister ship .[15]

The vessel, though not formally commissioned, was among the RCN ships deployed to the Arctic as part of the multinational military exercise Operation Nanook in August 2022. In September 2022, Margaret Brooke was tasked for hurricane relief efforts, after Hurricane Fiona's devastating impact to the Maritimes. The vessel provided assistance including damage assessment and welfare checks to the most impacted communities along the south coast of Newfoundland, where water access was the only means of entering the area.[16] [17] The vessel was commissioned on 28 October 2022.[18]

In early 2024, Margaret Brooke was involved in a drug interdiction in the Caribbean Sea.[19] In June, the ship was deployed to Havana Harbour where Russian vessels, including the submarine and the frigate, were also present.[20] Minister of Defence Bill Blair said the ship was deployed as an act of deterrence directed at Russia.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Royal Canadian Navy's OPV HMCS Max Bernays starts sea trials. Navy Recognition. 26 July 2022. 23 October 2022.
  2. Web site: 18 April 2024 . Harry DeWolf class fact sheet . 23 July 2024 . Government of Canada.
  3. Maritime Engineering Journal . AOPS Concept of Operations . Malek . Aaron . Francis . Morgan . Fall 2022 . 102 . 0713-0058 . 13.
  4. Web site: Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships to be constructed in three "mega blocks" . Pugliese . David . Ottawa Citizen . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161918/https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/arctic-offshore-patrol-ships-to-be-constructed-in-three-mega-blocks . 31 October 2018 . 16 January 2015 . 31 October 2018.
  5. Web site: Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships . Royal Canadian Navy . January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161651/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/fleet-units/aops-home.page . 31 October 2018 . 31 October 2018.
  6. Web site: Harry DeWolf-class Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship Factsheet . Department of National Defence of Canada . January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161434/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/assets/NAVY_Internet/docs/en/aops_factsheet_rv-e.pdf . 31 October 2018 . 31 October 2018.
  7. Irving Shipbuilding . Largest Active Combat Ship Built in Canada - HMCS Harry Dewolf - Commissioned Today . 26 June 2021.
  8. Web site: Two winners and one big loser in contest to build military ships . Woods . Allan . The Toronto Star . 19 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161112/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/10/19/two_winners_and_one_big_loser_in_contest_to_build_military_ships.html . 31 October 2018 . 31 October 2018 . live.
  9. New Royal Canadian Navy ship to be named after naval hero of SS Caribou sinking . Government of Canada . 13 April 2015 . 13 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150414035932/http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=962499&tp=1 . 14 April 2015 . dead .
  10. Web site: Royal Canadian Navy ship named after Saskatchewan war hero . MacVicar . Adam . Global News . 16 March 2018 . 14 November 2019.
  11. Keel-laying ceremony for HMCS Margaret Brooke marks a shipbuilding milestone . Department of National Defence of Canada . 29 May 2017 . 30 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170601223451/https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2017/05/keel-laying_ceremonyforhmcsmargaretbrookemarksashipbuildingmiles.html . 1 June 2017 . live.
  12. Halifax Shipyard launches Canada's second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship . Irving Shipbuilding . globenewswire.com . 10 November 2019 . 13 November 2019.
  13. Web site: Irving Shipbuilding invites international staff to Halifax for its latest ship test . Ruskin . Brett . CBC News . 5 May 2021 . 5 May 2021.
  14. Web site: 15 July 2021. Irving Shipbuilding delivers second Arctic patrol warship to Royal Canadian Navy. 15 July 2021. CTV News.
  15. Irving Shipbuilding . Halifax Shipyard Marks Major Milestone with the Joint Naming Ceremony of HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Max Bernays . 29 May 2022.
  16. Web site: Ottawa sending Canadian Forces to Newfoundland's southwest coast to help with Fiona cleanup . CBC News . 26 September 2022 . 27 September 2022.
  17. Web site: Canadian navy vessel headed to areas hit hardest by Fiona . ABC News . Gillies . Rob . Associated Press . 26 September 2022 . 27 September 2022.
  18. His Majesty's Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke commissioned into service . Department of National Defence of Canada . 28 October 2022 . 28 October 2022.
  19. Web site: 1 March 2024 . Coast Guard offloads over $14 million worth of cocaine in Miami Beach . 2 March 2024 . WSVN 7News.
  20. News: Zimonjic . Peter . 17 June 2024 . Minister defends Canadian navy ship's visit to Cuba with Russian vessels in port . . 18 June 2024.
  21. News: Chase . Steven. 17 June 2024 . Warship's visit to Cuba was intended to deter Russia, says minister . . 18 June 2024.