IIRC, haven't RCN frigates done Lakes tours as well?I think that ship may have sailed already.
I think the key word is "stationed". Transit seems to be permitted.
Yes they have. My original comment was largely tongue-in-cheek with the image posting Thunder Bay as part of an AOPS "patrol zone".IIRC, haven't RCN frigates done Lakes tours as well?
Is RAS capability a must in this list of requirements, I wonder?People/Politicians will ask why we need a baby AOP's. The replacement is going to have to be distinct from the AOP's and fill other roles.
So far we all seem to agree on:
Range: must be ocean capable and cross the Atlantic, Sea State?
Size: No smaller than MCDV, but no bigger than 2500DWT
Roles: Mine hunting is a critical function the RCN needs to maintian and improve
Speed: Faster than the current MCDV
Ice: Ice Strengthened
Likely not a deal breaker if the range is good enough. In order to keep crew numbers down a light jackstay ability is probably good enough.Is RAS capability a must in this list of requirements, I wonder?
Interesting it was one of the more common ways to refuel escorts back in WWII, but they were less concerned about spillage back then! Considering most of the roles of a MCDV, finding a sheltered bay to come alongside to refuel from an AOP/AOR/Barge would not be difficult.
Does the RCN still do astern fuelling?
It was indeed GBY - I was the Officer of the Watch! They've done it on subsequent northern deployments. Not much to it at all.I believe I saw a video once about a Northern deployment where GOOSE BAY, I believe, was refuelled by PIERRE RADISSON in that way.
I did it a bunch of times as well but in the past the CCG doesn't like the hassle of giving us fuel and often its hard to make an RV when the CCG is looking after commercial traffic and are constantly moving.It was indeed GBY - I was the Officer of the Watch! They've done it on subsequent northern deployments. Not much to it at all.
All ships going to the Arctic have to embark a fuel boom and interestingly enough now each Kingston Class has to embark fueling hose in case they have to share fuel between ships as one year the ships were short of fuel. The evolution itself is not challenging but all fueling is inherently high risk and extra precautions such as extra absorbent pads, extra socks should be used in case of minor spill in the Arctic.Yes, we embarked a fuel boom I recall. The MARPOL special area requirements were a challenge - but refuelling alongside was not.