Performance of Patrol Boats Deployed to the Canadian Arctic Region

New Patrol Vessel HMCS (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Harry DeWolf

[Researcher Jaemyung Lee, Underwater Maritime Research Team 3, Defense Technology Quality Institute] The Canadian Department of National Defence announced on the 31st of last month that it has taken delivery of the first new offshore patrol vessel, HMCS (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Harry DeWolf. The Harry DeWolf, the first of six ships in its class, is named after Admiral Harry DeWolf, a hero of the Canadian Navy.

The Harry DeWolf is designed to patrol Canada’s coastal and northernmost waters. By complementing the capabilities of future warships through reconnaissance and surveillance activities, it is expected to play a key role in strengthening Canada’s military posture in the Arctic region.

The vessel measures 103.6 meters in length, 19.0 meters in beam, and has a displacement of 6,615 metric tons. The forward deck is covered to protect the workspace from the Arctic climate. The ship is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system consisting of four 4,800-horsepower generators.

The Harry DeWolf can navigate through 1-meter-thick ice at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h) while breaking ice at 17 knots (31 km/h) in open waters. It has a cruising range of 2,600 km and can carry out missions for up to 85 days. The vessel is equipped with a bow thruster, eliminating the need for tugboat assistance during maneuvering and docking.

The Canadian Navy plans to berth the Harry DeWolf at the Halifax Shipyard and conduct sea trials in the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador during this period. Upon completion of the sea trials, the ship is scheduled to be officially commissioned in the summer of 2021 and will begin active service in the Arctic region.

Construction of the next three vessels is underway, with work on the fifth and sixth ships expected to begin in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

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