Note: I'm still having trouble with image links breaking in a previous post on the blog, regarding the salvage of the Manchester City. I'm going to try again in this new post, and if I continue to have issues with images, I will need to work out a new way to display them.
The first of the Royal Canadian Navy's new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) has been undergoing final acceptance trials prior to acceptance by, and handover to, the Navy. As such, the future HMCS HARRY DEWOLF was underway at sea off the coast of Halifax last weekend, and I caught her on her return on Sunday evening.
HARRY DEWOLF returned to the inner harbour under her own power, before being joined by two tugs in the vicinity of George's Island and proceeding to her berth at the shipyard.
These trials follow the builder's trials held by Irving Shipbuilding starting in November 2019. According to Irving, members of the future crew complement also spent some time at sea in the ship last weekend for training purposes.
For more information on the acceptance of warships from the builders hands, check out this article on the RUSI(NS) website.
RUSI(NS) also has an article on the full lifetime of a warship program, from inception to disposal of assets.
I have yet to see an announcement on when the Navy expects to take over and commission the ship, although circumstances around COVID-19 may be delaying the process.
