When most people think of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), they picture a ship slicing through ice in Canada’s northern waters. But for the sailors of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays, the story does not end at the edge of the Arctic Circle. It continues across oceans in the Indo-Pacific region, where the ship is demonstrating its ability to operate effectively outside northern waters.
Currently deployed on Operation HORIZON after transitioning directly from Operation LATITUDE, Max Bernays is demonstrating that the AOPV is more than a cold-weather platform. It is a modern, globally deployable ship designed to operate wherever Canadian interests and partnerships exist.
The Harry DeWolf-class AOPVs were built to enhance Canada’s ability to maintain a sustained presence in the North. However, the ship’s design, with its long range, modern communications suite, and excellent sea-keeping capability, makes it equally effective in open ocean environments. From humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to international patrols and partner engagements, the AOPV’s flexible design means it can adapt to a wide range of missions.
The North Pacific is more than just a part of the Indo-Pacific region; it is also a natural gateway to Canada’s Arctic. Deploying an AOPV here allows allies and partners to witness the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) specialized Arctic capabilities while enabling the ship’s company to strengthen Canada’s relationships across the broader region.
Aboard HMC Ships, sailors serve as ambassadors of Canada’s maritime expertise, showcasing the RCN’s ability to operate in any ocean environment. Behind the steel and technology, it is the crew, drawn from across the country, whose experience, adaptability, and professionalism drive every mission, whether it be Arctic operations or tropical engagements.
The deployment on Operation HORIZON directly supports the Defence and Security pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which emphasizes the importance of strengthening regional partnerships, promoting maritime security, and maintaining a consistent presence in key areas of the world.
By participating in multinational exercises such as Exercise SAMA SAMA 25 and ANNUALEX 25, as well as regional outreach events and cooperative patrols, Max Bernays is reinforcing Canada’s commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
As the RCN continues to modernize and expand its reach, the AOPV stands as a symbol of Canada’s maritime adaptability, a vessel equally at home among Arctic ice floes as it is in the deep blue waters of the Pacific.
For the sailors aboard Max Bernays, this deployment is not just about geography. It demonstrates to Canadians and to the world that the RCN’s new generation of ships is built for the realities of today’s global maritime environment.
