HMCS MAX BERNAYS 432

 

Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel

 


 

 

Future HMCS MAX BERNAYS returning to Halifax after completing sea trials

 

Laid Down: 14 Jan 2019, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Floated up: 23 Oct 2021, Bedford Basin, Halifax, NS

Commissioned: 03 May 2024, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Paid off: 

 

HMCS MAX BERNAYS, the third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) is named after Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays, a Canadian naval hero who served as the Coxswain of HMCS Assiniboine during the Second World War’s Battle of the Atlantic. "On August 6, 1942, during intense surface gun action against the German submarine U-210, HMCS Assiniboine maneuvered in and out of a fog attempting to ram and sink the enemy submarine. Both vessels were firing high explosive shells at very close range, resulting in a fire that engulfed the bridge and wheelhouse of Assiniboine. Surrounded by smoke and flames while steering the ship, CPO Bernays ordered two junior sailors to get clear, leaving him alone at the helm and trapped by the blaze. Besieged by flames, he executed all the helm orders as Assiniboine maneuvered for position against the U-boat, and did the work of the two telegraphmen, dispatching over 130 telegraph orders to the engine room. Several bullets and shells penetrated the wheelhouse as the enemy concentrated their machine-gun and cannon fire on the bridge. Eventually Assiniboine rammed and sank U-210 in what was considered to be an extremely hard-fought action, during which the Canadians suffered one fatality and 13 wounded. CPO Bernays was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal by the British Admiralty for his valour and dauntless devotion to duty during action.  He was one of only two members of the RCN to receive the CGM during the Second World War."

 

On 11 Mar 2024, HMCS MAX BERNAYS departed Halifax for a voyage to the west coast and her new home port of Esquimalt, BC.

 

18 Jun 2024 HMCS MAX BERNAYS departed from CFB Esquimalt to join HMCS VANCOUVER and MV ASTERIX in Pearl Harbor for Exercise RIMPAC. MAX BERNAYS will be the first of its class participating in the biennial multinational naval exercise, joining approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in and around the Hawaii Islands. On 12 Jul 2024, MAX BERNAYS returned to Pearl Harbor due to mechanical issues that resulted in seawater flooding one area of the ship.

 


 

Ship's Company Photos

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

The ship's badge for HMCS MAX BERNAYS 432

 

BG01

BG02

(BG03)

(BG01) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax, with her center and stern mega blocks positioned for joining together - 25 Feb 2021. The forward mega block is under construction.

(BG02) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax, with her bow section mega block positioned for joining to the previously joined centre and stern blocks - 10 May 2021

(BG03) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax.  The photo was taken 18 Oct 2021 - 5 days before she is to be floated up.

Courtesy of Barry Gerrard

 


 

The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS is floated up in Bedford Basin - 23 Oct 2021

Source/Credit: Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax, NS

 


 

The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS fitting out alongside at Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax - 26 Oct 2021

Courtesy of Tom Goodyear

 


 

The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS heads to sea from Halifax on builder's trials 22 Jul 2022

Source: RCN facebook page

 


 

     

 

  

HMCS MAX BERNAYS was delivered to the RCN on 02 Sep 2022

DND / RCN photos

 


 

 

Article on the delivery of MAX BERNAYS to the RCN and the teething problems of HMCS HARRY DEWOLF

The Halifax Chronicle-Herald 03 Sep 2022

 


 

HMCS MAX BERNAYS departs Halifax for Esquimalt for her new home port on the west coast - 11 Mar 2024

Source: RCN official facebook page

 


 

     

 

  

HMCS MAX BERNAYS transiting the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific, enroute to her now home port of Esquimalt - Apr 2024

Source: RCN official facebook page

 


 

HMCS MAX BERNAYS returned to Pearl Harbour due to mechanical issues that resulted in flooding in one area of the ship  //  The Saltwire Network 24 Jul 2024

Courtesy of Bill Gard

 


 

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