HMCS Max Bernays

HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432) is the third Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy. 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.

HMCS Max Bernays (foreground), with HMCS Margaret Brooke (astern)
History
Canada
Name	Max Bernays
Namesake	Max Bernays
Builder	Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Laid down	5 December 2018
Launched	23 October 2021
Commissioned	3 May 2024
Homeport	CFB Esquimalt
Identification	Hull number: AOPV 432 IMO number: 4702527
Motto	Interriti impetus (Latin for 'Undaunted by fire')
Status	In service
General characteristics
Type	Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel
Displacement	6,615 t (6,511 long tons)
Length	103.6 m (339 ft 11 in)
Beam	19.0 m (62 ft 4 in)
Draught	5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)[1]
Ice class	Polar Class 5
Installed power	4 × MAN 6L32/44CR (4 × 3.6 MW)[1]
Propulsion	Diesel-electric Two shafts (2 × 4.5 MW)[2] Bow thruster[3]
Speed	17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) (open water) 3 kn (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) in 1 m (3 ft 3 in) ice[4]
Range	6,800 nmi (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)[5]
Boats & landing craft carried	2 × 8.5 m (28 ft) multi-role rescue boats 12 m (39 ft) landing craft[6][7]
Complement	65
Armament	1 × BAE Mk 38 25 mm (0.98 in) gun 2 × M2 Browning machine gun
Aircraft carried	Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone or other helicopters/CU-176 Gargoyle UAV
Aviation facilities	Hangar and flight deck

Design and description

The Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels are designed for use in the Arctic regions of Canada for patrol and support within Canada's exclusive economic zone. The vessel is 103.6 m (339 ft 11 in) long overall with a beam of 19.0 m (62 ft 4 in). The ship has a displacement of 6,615 metric tons (6,511 long tons). 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 3.6-megawatt (4,800 hp) MAN 6L32/44CR^[1] four-stroke medium-speed diesel generators and two electric propulsion motors rated at 4.5 megawatts (6,000 hp) driving two shafts. Max Bernays is capable of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) in open water and 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) in 1-metre (3 ft 3 in) first-year sea ice. The ship is also equipped with a bow thruster to aid during manoeuvres and docking procedures without requiring tugboat assistance. The ship has a range of 6,800 nautical miles (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) and an endurance of 120 days. Max Bernays is equipped with fin stabilizers to decrease roll in open water, which can be retracted during icebreaking.^[8][2][9]

Max Bernays is able to deploy with multiple payloads, including shipping containers, underwater survey equipment or landing craft. Payload operations are aided by a 20-metric-ton (20-long-ton; 22-short-ton) crane for loading and unloading. The ship is equipped with a vehicle bay which can hold pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The ship also has two 8.5-metre (27 ft 11 in) multi-role rescue boats capable of over 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph). The ship is armed with one BAE Mk 38 25 mm (0.98 in) 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. Max Bernays has a complement of 65 and accommodation for 85^[8][2][9] or 87.^[10]

Construction and career

The patrol vessel's keel was laid down on 5 December 2018 by Irving Shipbuilding at Halifax, Nova Scotia.^[11] The ship was launched on 23 October 2021, and was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy 2 September 2022.^[12] The naming ceremony was conducted on 29 May 2022 in conjunction with that for sister ship Margaret Brooke.^[13] The ship began sea trials in July 2022.^[14] The ship was delivered to the RCN in September 2022 for post-acceptance trials and it was indicated that she would be the first vessel of her class to be based in the Pacific region, starting in 2023.^[15][16]

On 11 March 2024, Max Bernays left Halifax for its new homeport at Esquimalt, British Columbia, with Canadian Fleet Pacific.^[17] The vessel was commissioned on 3 May 2024 in the presence of Anne, Princess Royal.^[18] In mid 2024, Max Bernays took part in the multi-national exercise RIMPAC 2024 along with the supply ship Asterix and the frigate Vancouver.^[19]