Halifax HMC Ships depart for Northern Operations

NEWS RELEASE

Halifax HMC Ships depart for Northern Operations

August 11, 2016 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is deploying two ships to Arctic waters this summer, continuing the RCN’s presence in the Canadian North. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Shawinigan and Moncton departed from their home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, today to conduct sovereignty and surveillance patrols as part of Operations QIMMIQ and NANOOK 2016.

While at sea, the ships will also be partnering with Canadian Hydrographic Services (CHS), Parks Canada (PC), Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), and the Arctic Research Foundation to conduct hydrographic surveys.

QUOTES

“The deployment of these ships continues Canada’s stated commitment to assert our sovereignty over our northernmost regions. Through partnering with other government organizations, the Royal Canadian Navy will further support ventures vital to Canada’s continued presence in the North.”
– Captain(Navy) Craig Skjerpen, Fifth Maritime Operations Group Commanding Officer

“Traveling up North by sea and showcasing our presence is a wonderful opportunity. HMCS Moncton’s company is looking forward to meeting new people, working with other government departments to assist with making Canada’s North safer for navigation, and demonstrating our interoperability with other units of the Canadian Armed Forces.”
– Lieutenant-Commander Nicole Robichaud, Commanding Officer HMCS Moncton

QUICK FACTS

• HMC Ships Shawinigan and Moncton will deploy for seven weeks to Canada’s Arctic in support of Operations NANOOK and QIMMIQ.
• Operation NANOOK is Canada’s largest sovereignty and presence operation in the North and takes place annually.
• Operation QIMMIQ is the Joint Task Force (North) surveillance and presence operation conducted continuously throughout the year in Canada’s North.
• HMCS Moncton will be in Rankin Inlet on August 29 and HMCS Shawinigan will be in the Hamlet of Arctic Bay on September 8. HMCS Shawinigan will be donating a quantity of backpacks and school supplies to the community.