Princess Anne is in British Columbia for the commissioning of a new ship

HMCS Max Bernays, the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship and the first ship of its class to be attached to the Canadian Pacific Fleet in Esquimalt, British Columbia, has been officially commissioned into service Friday, during a ceremony in North Vancouver attended by Princess Anne.

The sister of King Charles III and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, attended the ceremony in her capacity as Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Pacific Fleet.

According to the Department of National Defence, HMCS Max Bernays arrived at its new home port of Esquimalt, on Vancouver Island, last month.

According to military authorities, this constitutes a crucial step in the expansion of the fleet.

A reinforced presence in the north

HMCS Max Bernays is named in honor of Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays, a Canadian naval hero who served as coxswain aboard HMCS Assiniboine during the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War.

Officials say the addition of this ship to the Pacific Fleet will enable the navy to better meet future defense challenges in the North.

The ship was built by Irving Shipbuilding and launched into Atlantic waters on October 23, 2021.

This is the first ship of the class Harry DeWolf attached to the Pacific Fleet, while HMCS Robert Hampton Gray is expected to become the second ship of its type to make the intercoastal transfer, the Defense Ministry said in a statement last month.

These multi-functional vessels will be at the heart of an enhanced presence in the Arctic and will strategically complement the capabilities of our current and future warships through surveillance operationsspecifies the press release.

Princess Anne’s itinerary

The lieutenant governor’s office said the princess and her husband, Vice Adm. Sir Tim Laurencewould attend a series of events during a three-day trip to British Columbia, beginning with the ship’s commissioning ceremony in North Vancouver.

The ceremony will be followed by a night sail to the Esquimalt base.

Princess Anne’s itinerary includes a visit to the British Columbia Maritime Museum, which was founded with an initial donation from her father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Princess Royal will also lay a wreath at the Legislative Assembly during a ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic.

Princess Anne also plans to visit the Military Family Resource Center before meeting Janet Austinthe Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and various community leaders across the province.

With information from The Canadian Press