Protecteur leaves for refuelling duty
Lt Marguerite Dodds-Lepinski
Navy Public Affairs Officer
January 7, 2008
HMCS Protecteur deployed today for a two month task as the mid-Pacific tanker responsible for replenishment at sea (RAS) to Canadian and allied navy warships. This is the second time in 10 years Protecteur has provided this service in the mid-Pacific.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, making refuelling at sea necessary. “Many people have no idea how vast it is and how difficult it is to get warships across it without tanker support,” said Commander Chris Peschke, Chief Staff Officer Operations, Canadian Fleet Pacific. “These ships need the right kind of good quality fuel that meets stringent military standards.”
This fuel is not something easily obtained at any port. A ship re-supplied by Protecteur is guaranteed top quality fuel, he says.
Food, medical, mechanical and administration supplies are all also available on this “Canadian Super Store” of the ocean.
Four decks of warehouse loaded with pre-packaged pallets of stores, everything from canned peaches to printer paper is systemically piled, organized and strategically placed to ensure an efficient RAS.
“The idea is for Protecteur to go out full and come back empty,” said Cdr Stan Bates, Current Operations, Maritime Forces Pacific.
While RAS is Proctecteur’s primary duty, Cdr Bates says there is an another benefit to her mid-Pacific reign. “We get an opportunity to train and apply operations with other partner navies.” During the deployment Protecteur will re-supply an entire allied battle group, as well as a number independent ships and Canadian frigates.
“A successful RAS to Protecteur is like a successful missile shoot for a frigate or destroyer,” says Protecteur’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Sean Cantelon.
Protecteur has been preparing for this tasking over the last few months.
“The crew has a long [training] program to make it through in preparation for the deployment,” says Cdr Cantelon. “They performed outstandingly well and the opportunity to go to sea off the coast of Hawaii is something they are all looking forward to.”
