Canadian Navy’s 4th AOPS HMCS William Hall launched

Canadian shipbuilder Irving Shipbuilding has launched the fourth Arctic and offshore patrol vessel HMCS William Hall build for the Canadian Navy.

As informed, the launching ceremony took place on 27 November. The fourth Arctic and offshore patrol ship was rolled onto the barge and towed into the Bedford Basin. The launch required approximately 49 million litres of water to submerge the barge, according to the company.

The construction of the ship started back in 2019.

Measuring 103 meters in length and displacing 6,615 tons, AOPS are the largest Royal Canadian Navy ships built in Canada in 50 years. They will patrol Canada’s oceans, including the Arctic, and are suited for missions abroad to support international partners, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue, and drug interdiction.

They will carry a crew of up to 65 people, plus an additional 22 to support an enhanced naval boarding party, army troops, special operations forces and other government departments to support science and research.

In September 2014, the Government of Canada announced that the AOPS would be named to honour prominent Canadians who served with the highest distinction and conspicuous gallantry in the Navy.

The lead ship was named HMCS Harry DeWolf and the class is known as the Harry DeWolf class.

The RCN will employ the AOPS to conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canadian waters on all three coasts, including in the Arctic. The AOPS will also be used to support other units of the Canadian Armed Forces in the conduct of maritime-related operations, and to support other government departments in carrying out their mandates, as required.