Thoughts on New Vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy
by David Swan
Regardless of what the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) requires for a new patrol vessel, surveillance platform, mine countermeasures vessel, corvette, whatever, all those ships will by definition be relatively ‘short legged’ vessels. Stated another way, the new ships will require support. One of the ways this requirement could be addressed to is to purchase an ice-capable oil rig resupply vessel and convert it to a scaled-down AOR1 (supply ship).
As an example, in their original configuration, Motor Vessels (MV) Jean Tide and Joyce Tide, acquired as Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Anticosti and Moresby, were designed to carry cargo on their aft deck and significant amounts of fluid cargo. If containers were used as ‘building blocks,’ in theory a minimum of two decks of 40 feet/12.2 metres by 100 feet/30.5 metres could be added to the ships. That is a lot of space that could be used to create a ‘mini-AOR’. With the addition of ‘goal posts2,’ underway refueling and transfer of water could be added to the ship’s capabilities.
Small ships/minor war vessels have other limitations as well. Communications could be added to a support ship, improving command and control. Small ships typically carry no medics. Small ships often lack technicians to support ships’ systems. The addition of a small number of specialists to the crew of a support ship could significantly extend the range and capabilities of the ships being supported.
It is worth noting that MV Jean Tide and Joyce Tide were built in Canadian shipyards. Built to commercial specifications, they were still capable of meeting naval mission requirements thanks to the robust nature of their design.
The RCN Reserve has already demonstrated the ability to operate this type of vessel. Reserve officers have passed the ‘Deck Officers Course,’ essential for safe operation of an AOR3. The only danger in this recommendation is overthinking the proposal and attempting to add too much capability to the ships. If thoughtfully executed, this should be a win for the Reserve, the RCN and for the government that makes this happen.
Notes:
- AOR: Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment. See: “Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment” https://rusi-ns.ca/auxiliary-oiler-replenishment/.
- ‘Goal posts’: RCN slang for the upright fixtures used to provide refueling points on Canadian AOR.
- The author graduated from Deck Officers Course 9002 East, intended for RCN (Regular Force) naval officers.
David Swan is a retired officer of the Canadian Armed Forces. He was a staff officer on the Maritime Coastal Defence Project, January 1987 to June 1988.
