A retun to Halifax for a few says allowed me to see the return to port from sea trials of the AOPV 6 today, August 6.
This is the sixth of six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy to be built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc at Halifax Shipyard. When it is handed over and commissioned it will be named HMCS Robert Hampton Gray* but in the meantime it will carry the temporary designation of AOPV 6. (The eventual name is already displayed on the hull - visible just aft at the break of the superstructure.)
There are two variants of the AOPV still under construction, but these will be for the Canadian Coast Guard. The first is at a very advanced stage but has not been rolled out yet. Assembly of some of the megablocks has been done under cover, whereas the large blocks for the RCN ships were joined outside.
The CCG ships will have red hulls, so will be in contrast to the RCN's navy gray.
* Robert Hampton Gray VC, DSC was one of the last Canadians to die in the Second World War, August 9, 1945. He was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross. I hope a fitting tribute will be paid to Lt. Gray on August 9 of this year.
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