New jetty opens in CFB Halifax

HMCS Ville de Quebec is seen tied up at the new Jetty NJ. Photo courtesy Formation Imaging Services

Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has marked another step on the road to accepting the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) with Jetty NJ now complete at the north end of HMC Dockyard in CFB Halifax.

Government representatives, senior RCN leaders, including Atlantic Fleet Commander, Cmdre Richard Feltham, and CFB Halifax Base Commander, Capt(N) David Mazur, other sailors, and CAF members gathered to officially cut the ribbon for the project on Aug. 22.

Cmdre Feltham touted the size and location of the new jetty, along with its modern fendering system and utility tunnel, as an upgrade that will allow the dockyard to accommodate a greater number of larger ships without worry. This includes current and future RCN ships and those of visiting allies, he said.

“This project provides critical infrastructure to enable us to do the things necessary to prepare our ships to go around the world. It will allow us to execute the missions that the people and the Government of Canada need us for,” he said. “It provides a new, safe place at home to berth our ships, do our repairs, and to rest and recover.”

Members of HMCS Harry DeWolf were on hand to celebrate the official opening, as Jetty NJ will be the ship’s regular berthing place following its expected delivery to the RCN later this year. The 247-metre long jetty will eventually accommodate four of the navy’s six AOPS vessels at a time.