HMCS Max Bernays

Max Bernays (AOPV 432) is the third Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy. The class was derived from the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship project as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is primarily designed for the patrol and support of Canada's Arctic regions.

Design and description
The Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels are designed for use in the Arctic regions of Canada for patrol and support within Canada's exclusive economic zone. The vessel is 103.6 m long overall with a beam of 19.0 m. The ship has a displacement of 6615 MT. The ship has an enclosed foredeck that protects machinery and work spaces from Arctic climates. The vessel is powered by a diesel-electric system composed of four 3.6 MW MAN 6L32/44CR four-stroke medium-speed diesel generators and two electric propulsion motors rated at 4.5 MW driving two shafts. Max Bernays is capable of 17 kn in open water and 3 kn in 1 m first-year sea ice. The ship is also equipped with a bow thruster to aid during manoeuvres and docking procedures without requiring tugboat assistance. The ship has a range of 6800 nmi and an endurance of 120 days. Max Bernays is equipped with fin stabilizers to decrease roll in open water, which can be retracted during icebreaking.

Max Bernays is able to deploy with multiple payloads, including shipping containers, underwater survey equipment or landing craft. Payload operations are aided by a 20 MT crane for loading and unloading. The ship is equipped with a vehicle bay which can hold pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The ship also has two 8.5 m multi-role rescue boats capable of over 35 kn. The ship is armed with one BAE Mk 38 25 mm gun and two M2 Browning machine guns. The patrol ship has an onboard hangar and flight deck for helicopters up to the size of a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone. Max Bernays has a complement of 65 and accommodation for 85  or 87.

Construction and career
The patrol vessel's keel was laid down on 5 December 2018 by Irving Shipbuilding at Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship was launched on 23 October 2021, and was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy 2 September 2022. The naming ceremony was conducted on 29 May 2022 in conjunction with that for sister ship HMCS Margaret Brooke. The ship began sea trials in July 2022.

The ship was delivered to the RCN in September 2022 for post-acceptance trials and it was indicated that she would be the first vessel of her class to be based in the Pacific region, starting in 2023.

On 11 March 2024, Max Bernays left Halifax for its new homeport at Esquimalt, British Columbia, with Canadian Fleet Pacific. The vessel was commissioned on 3 May 2024 in the presence of Anne, Princess Royal.