Halifax Shipyard launches Canada’s first AOPS

Written by Nick Blenkey
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The future HMCS Harry DeWolf, the first of Canada's Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels to be built, floats for the first time following its launch in Halifax Harbor

SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 — Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard, Halifax, Nova Scotia, has launched Canada’s lead Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel the future HMCS Harry DeWolf.

At 103 m and 6,615 tonnes, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf is the largest Royal Canadian Navy ship built in Canada in 50 years.

The ship was transitioned from the shipyard’s land level facility to a submersible barge on September 14 and launched in the Bedford Basin the following day.

The vessel is now pier side at Halifax Shipyard where shipbuilders will continue working to prepare it for sea trials in 2019. HMCS Harry DeWolf is scheduled to be turned over to the Royal Canadian Navy in summer 2019.

“Congratulations to our more than 1,800 shipbuilders on today’s successful launch of the future HMCS Harry DeWolf,” said Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding. “This is a significant milestone and the first of many more launches that will take place at Halifax Shipyard over the next few decades as we work to revitalize the Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”

Construction of the second and third ships, the future HMCS Margaret Brooke and Max  Bernays, is well underway at Halifax Shipyard. Later this month, the first two major sections of the future HMCS Margaret Brooke will be moved outside.

Under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, Irving Shipbuilding was selected to construct the Royal Canadian Navy’s future combatant fleet—Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels followed by Canadian Surface Combatants.

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