Halifax- The Royal Canadian Navy has christened two new ice-classed patrol ships, the HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Max Bernays, two WWII heroes who served with distinction at sea.

“This is a proud day for our team of over 2100 shipbuilders,” said Kevin Mooney, President of Irving Shipbuilding at the double naming ceremony on Sunday. “From our team to the crews of these fine ships we wish you fair winds and following seas.”

Both ships are part of the fleet of six (6) Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) being delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are large, ice-capable ships, more than 100 metres long, and designed to conduct a variety of missions in Canada’s waters, including in the Arctic.

The vessels will be capable of conducting armed sea-borne surveillance, providing government situational awareness of activities and events in these regions. They will also be able to cooperate with partners in the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments to assert and enforce Canadian sovereignty, when and where necessary.

Allyson Brooke, the youngest niece of Margaret Brooke is the co-sponsor of HMCS Margaret Brooke along with Margaret Elizabeth Brooke (her older sister). This is the second AOPS and was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy last summer.

Shannon Bernays is the granddaughter of Max Bernays and the sponsor of HMCS Max Bernays, the third vessel that will be delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy this fall. (Photo Irving Shipbuilding)