The HMCS Frédérick Rolette, Canada’s newest Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), has made its first international port call at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, following its commissioning on June 13, 2025, in Québec City. The visit marks a significant step in the vessel’s operational deployment and highlights growing naval cooperation between Canada and the United States.
Built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, the ship represents the fifth unit in Canada’s Harry DeWolf-class fleet, designed for Arctic sovereignty, maritime surveillance, and multi-role deployments. Following stops in Saguenay and New York City, the Florida port call included joint training activities with the U.S. Navy, covering search and rescue drills, interoperability exchanges, and maritime security operations.
The 103.6-meter-long vessel has a full load displacement of 6,660 tonnes and is powered by a diesel-electric system with a top speed of 17 knots and an operational range of 6,800 nautical miles. It is built to Polar Class 5 standards, enabling navigation through up to 1.2 meters of first-year sea ice. The ship can remain at sea for up to 120 days with adequate resupply.
The ship’s equipment includes two rescue boats, a landing craft, cranes for cargo handling, and a modular rear deck that supports UAVs, vehicles, and ISO containers. It also features a flight deck and hangar for operating the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and CU-176 unmanned systems. Armaments include a 25mm Mk 38 cannon and two M2 machine guns, configured for Arctic conditions. Advanced sensor suites and an integrated bridge navigation system provide enhanced situational awareness and control.
Named after Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, a Canadian naval hero from the War of 1812, the vessel carries the motto “Leonis Fortitudine” (“With the Courage of a Lion”) and features a heraldic sea-lion on its crest. Rolette famously captured an American vessel carrying critical dispatches on the first day of the war.
With a standard crew of 65 and space for 22 additional mission personnel, HMCS Frédérick Rolette is part of a broader national effort to reinforce Canadian presence in the Arctic. The AOPV program also includes two additional modified variants under construction for the Canadian Coast Guard. Despite criticism over procurement costs and armament limitations compared to foreign vessels, the program prioritizes sovereignty, presence, and support operations in harsh environments over combat capability.
The ship will soon begin preparations for its first patrol in Arctic waters, contributing to Operation Nanook and other multinational exercises designed to enhance Canada’s maritime readiness and defense diplomacy.
