Canada's new Naval Support Ship returns to Canada after a flawless one-year international deployment Français
VICTORIA, Dec. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Canada's Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship Asterix arrived back in Canada for the first time following a year-long deployment throughout the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Since delivery from Davie Shipbuilding in January 2018, the ship has maintained 100% utilization without a single day of downtime, something which is virtually unheard of in naval ship operations.
During 2018, Asterix has travelled 51,062 nautical miles, performed 138 supply operations with 9 allied navies and delivered over 20 million litres of fuel at sea. She has taken part in five international naval exercises and operated naval patrols in South East Asia and on the Korean Peninsula.
On arrival in Victoria, Captain Bernard Wentzell reflected on the past year, "this ship has been a dream come true for those serving in her and also for our NATO and Indo-Pacific allies. She is comfortable, technologically superior and highly efficient."
Wentzell added, "when you deliver a service which exceeds your client's expectations you feel a sense of pride but when you deliver a service which is directly contributing to a safer and better world, you feel a real sense of purpose. The professionalism of both the Federal Fleet Services team aboard and ashore and that of the Royal Canadian Navy was evident in how quickly and efficiently the teams rose to the challenge this year. After nearly an entire year of operations, free of incident, I can firmly say that we, together, are one of the world's best naval support teams. Asterix has been a fantastic showcase of the best in Canadian military equipment and at every port visit, Asterix has become the envy of our host nation. This is what a Canadian success story looks like."
Alex Vicefield, Chairman of Federal Fleet Services stated, "Asterix has proven itself as an essential asset for Canada's international presence and its strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific but that has left the fleet at home, both on the East and West coasts without the means to sustain operations or form a task group. The government's policy, Strong Secured and Engaged, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy's doctrine, Leadmark 2050, and two unanimous reports from Canada's Parliament in 2017 confirm the need for a second Resolve-Class Naval Support ship. Given the multi-year delay in the schedule for the Joint Support Ships, the need for Obelix has never been so clear."
Vicefield added, "back in 2014 when we first proposed the Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship, some people said that Canada didn't need a naval support ship. Some said Davie couldn't do it. Some said our plan wouldn't work. Some even said the Joint Support Ships would be delivered in 2019 so it wasn't necessary. Well, 138 missions later and with the Joint Support Ships nowhere to be seen, I am sure that all Canadians are happy that no one listened to them."
Spencer Fraser, CEO of Federal Fleet Services said, "for the ship to operate non-stop without any issues is testament to both Davie, the builder, and the Federal Fleet Services crew on board and ashore. The success of this project is more than simply proving a design. It has actually set a new standard for both naval support ship design and the way Canada can operate its naval auxiliary ships by taking advantage of the best commercial practices."
Asterix is expected to remain in Victoria (BC) until February 2019 when she will begin her next deployment.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Key Facts:
- Asterix is Canada's only naval support ship and has been operated at 100% utilization on international deployment since her delivery to the Royal Canadian Navy in January 2018
- With 4 replenishment-at-sea masts, Asterix is a fully NATO compliant support vessel
- Asterix is owned and operated by Federal Fleet Services and is operated on contract to the Royal Canadian Navy, who have the contractual option to purchase the vessel
- During 2018, Asterix took part in 5 international naval exercises as well as naval patrols and humanitarian operations in the Pacific Ocean, South East Asia, Japan and on the Korean Peninsula.
- During 2018, Asterix travelled 51,062 nautical miles, performed 138 supply operations with 9 allied navies and delivered over 20 million litres of fuel at sea.
- Fun fact: 96,931 meals were served on board during 2018
For photographs of Asterix's 2018 deployment, please click here:
https://www.davielibrary.com/Project-Resolve-/Asterix-in-2018/
About Federal Fleet Services:
Federal Fleet Services supports military, government and humanitarian operations through the construction, ownership and management of complex, mission-critical naval support ships. Federal Fleet Services provides an integrated, turnkey at-sea-support and military logistics service.
SOURCE Federal Fleet Services Inc
Naresh Raghubeer, [email protected], +1 (613) 327-5700
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