Orca-class patrol vessel

Last updated

ORCA HMCS55.jpg
Orca of the Royal Canadian Navy, January 2007
Class overview
NameOrca class
Builders Victoria Shipyards, Esquimalt
Operators Royal Canadian Navy
Preceded by YAG 300
Cost
  • CA$ 90.7 million (2004) for 8 vessels
  • CA$ 11.3 million (2004) per unit
BuiltNovember 2004 – October 2008
In service17 November 2006 – present
Completed8
Active8
General characteristics
TypeTraining tender and patrol boat
Displacement210 tonnes (207 Imperial tons)
Length33 m (108 ft)
Beam8.34 m (27.4 ft)
Draught2.6 m (8.5 ft)
Propulsion
  • 2 x Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines, 2,500 hp each at 1,600 rpm
  • 2 x ZF 7550A gearboxes
  • 2 x 1,400mm fixed pitch propellers
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) governed
Range660 nmi (1,220 km; 760 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement5 (minimum); 24 (maximum)
ArmamentNot armed. Foredeck is strengthened to accept a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun.
Notes
  • 1 x Zodiac SR2 rescue boat
  • 1 x Allied Systems D2500S deck crane

The Orca-class patrol vessels are a class of eight steel-hulled training and surveillance vessels in service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) at Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. [1] Based on the Australian Pacific-class patrol boat design, all of the Orca vessels were constructed by Victoria Shipyards between November 2004 and November 2008. In addition to carrying the RCN designation of patrol craft training (PCT), [2] the Orca class are not formally commissioned in the RCN and as such do not possess the His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) prefix. [3]

Contents

Design and description

In the early 2000s, the Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM) began searching for a replacement for its aging 1950s-era wooden-hulled YAG 300 training tenders. [4] While training aboard the YAG vessels was considered useful, initial training of naval officers was moving towards more modern land-based simulators that more accurately replicated the conditions aboard RCN capital ships. On 8 November 2004 the Department of National Defence (DND) announced a $69.7 million contract for six new ships, with an option for two more for a total budget of $90.7 million. [1] [4]

Based on the Australian Tenix Defence–designed Pacific-class Seahorse Mercator, the Canadian-built Orca class shares the same hull design as the Australian vessel, but is 15 per cent larger. Stretched to the maximum allowed by the contract, the Canadian Orca class was designed to allow for the hull to withstand any increase in the size and weight of future equipment. With the change in size, also came a change to the propulsion system, crew accommodations and bridge structure. [5]

Designed to accommodate a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun, the foredeck was strengthened and extra fire protection was added, requiring a new firemain supply to the new ammunition storage lockers. This redesign led to several systems, including the auxiliary seawater and bilge systems to be upgraded. [5] In addition, requirements under the Canada Shipping Act and Canadian naval requirements also necessitated the installation of a third generator, changing the electrical supply to 120 volts/60 hertz and a redesigned water cooling system. [5]

Designed as a "'stepping stone' to larger fleet warships", the Orcas were also designed with a larger wheelhouse fitted with warship-grade navigational equipment. [2] The large bridge offers expansive views all around, ensuring safety and enhancing training value. Below the bridge is a sixteen-seat training room with reconfigurable seating, desks and a multimedia centre, which also serves as a mess and medical area. [1] As the training room sits atop the machinery space, a multi-component acoustic system and absorbent material was used for sound deadening. [1]

The Orca class were the first vessels of its size to be built to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) High-Speed Naval Craft (HSNC) A1 classification [6] and are constructed using CSA G40.21 50W/350WT high-strength structural steel. [1] Known for its reliability in cold climates, it is the same type of steel used in the Canadian Halifax-class frigates. [1] [7]

Each Orca-class vessel shares the same dimensions of being 33 metres (108 ft 3 in) long, [4] a beam of 8.34 metres (27 ft 4 in), a draught of 2.0 metres (6 ft 7 in), and a displacement of 210 tonnes (210 long tons ). [5] Powered by two Caterpillar 3516B marine diesel engines, each rated for 1,900 kilowatts (2,500  hp ) at 1,600 revolutions per minute, they are capable of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph), and have an endurance of 660 nautical miles (1,220 km; 760 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). [2] [4] Able to be operated by a core crew of five, the maximum bunk space on the Orcas is twenty-four with two two-bunk cabins for the crew (officer in charge, executive officer, senior bosun's mate, Orca-class engineer) two six-bunk cabins and two four-bunk cabins for instructors and trainees. [4] [5] Each Orca carries one Zodiac SR2 inflatable rescue boat that holds two sailors. [8]

Construction

Orca undergoing its sea trials in Esquimalt Harbour, October 2006 Orca55.jpg
Orca undergoing its sea trials in Esquimalt Harbour, October 2006

During the early stages of the Second World War, the Canadian Government acquired fourteen large yachts from the United States and all were given animal names upon commissioning in the RCN. [9] All but Orca and Raven perpetuate the names of those armed yachts and all have a connection to First Nations lore. Cougar, Moose, and Wolf are the third vessels to carry those names as they also perpetuate the names of Canadian Fairmile B motor launches used by the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve as training ships after the Second World War. [10]

All eight Orca-class vessels were constructed by Victoria Shipyards at Victoria, British Columbia with the first in class Orca, was laid down in September 2005, launched in August 2006, and delivered to MARCOM in November 2006. [2] The remaining Orcas delivered were: Raven in March 2007; Caribou in July 2007; Renard in September 2007; Wolf in November 2007; Grizzly in March 2008; Cougar in July 2008 and Moose in November 2008. [8]

Construction data
NamePennant numberBuilderLaunchedService entryLast refit [11] Next refit [11] HomeportStatus
OrcaPCT 55 Seaspan ULC, Esquimalt, British Columbia8 August 20069 November 200620152020 CFB Esquimalt Active
RavenPCT 5610 January 200715 March 200720152020CFB EsquimaltActive
CaribouPCT 572 May 200731 July 200720162021CFB EsquimaltActive
RenardPCT 581 August 200713 September 200720162021CFB EsquimaltActive
WolfPCT 5922 October 200729 November 200720172022CFB EsquimaltActive
GrizzlyPCT 6014 February 200819 March 200820172022CFB EsquimaltActive
CougarPCT 6128 August 20082 October 200820182023CFB EsquimaltActive
MoosePCT 6223 October 200827 November 200820182023CFB EsquimaltActive

Employment

Orca sailing in the Gulf Islands in support of naval officer training, August 2007 Orca55gulfislands.jpg
Orca sailing in the Gulf Islands in support of naval officer training, August 2007

As dedicated training tenders, the Orcas are primarily used to facilitate numerous one-to-six-week long at-sea training evolutions for training both regular and reserve force RCN naval officers. [2] The vessels are also used to train non-commissioned members and provide an at sea experience for the teenage members of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. [2] The Orcas are considered vessels of opportunity for surveillance and search and rescue and are all homeported at CFB Esquimalt. [2] [12]

During Operation Podium, the Canadian Forces support of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, three Orcas were temporarily fitted with 12.7 mm machine guns for port security duties. [5] [12]

On 15 June 2017, while HMCS Chicoutimi was docked at CFB Esquimalt, Cougar struck the submarine as it was exiting the dockyard. The initial inspection following the collision showed only superficial damage to the protective gear around the submarine and only minor damage to Cougar's propeller. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Canadian Navy</span> Military unit

The Royal Canadian Navy is the naval force of Canada. The navy is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of February 2024, the RCN operates 12 Halifax-class frigates, 12 Kingston-class coastal defence vessels, 4 Victoria-class submarines, 4 Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels, 8 Orca-class patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. The RCN consists of 8,400 Regular Force and 4,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians. Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and chief of the Naval Staff.

The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces. Over the course of its history, the RCN has played a role in the First World War, contributed significantly to the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War, and was a part of NATO's force buildup during the Cold War. In 1968, the RCN was amalgamated with the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force to form what is today the unified Canadian Armed Forces. The naval force was known as Maritime Command until 2011, when the environmental command was renamed as the Royal Canadian Navy.

HMCS <i>Chicoutimi</i> (SSK 879) Royal Canadian Navy hunter-killer submarine

HMCS Chicoutimi is a Victoria-class long-range hunter-killer (SSK) submarine of the Royal Canadian Navy, originally built and operated by the Royal Navy as HMS Upholder. Shortly after being handed over by the United Kingdom to Canada she was involved in a partial flooding incident which resulted in a fire at sea. The incident sparked a fierce debate over the value of the purchase of this group of second-hand vessels, as well as the handover inspection process. The subsequent investigation "determined the fire was caused by human, technical and operational factors, [and] the board cleared the commanding officer and crew of any blame." The submarine was repaired and entered Canadian service in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFB Esquimalt</span> Naval base near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is Canada's Pacific Coast naval base and home port to Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific Headquarters. As of 2018, 4,411 military personnel and 2,762 civilians work at CFB Esquimalt.

HMCS <i>Brandon</i> (MM 710) Royal Canadian Navy coastal defence vessel

HMCS Brandon is a Kingston-class coastal defence vessel that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1999. Brandon is the eleventh ship of her class. She is the second vessel to use the name HMCS Brandon. The Brandon is assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and is homeported at CFB Esquimalt.

HMCS <i>Saskatoon</i> (MM 709) Royal Canadian Navy coastal defence vessel

HMCS Saskatoon is a Kingston-class coastal defence vessel delivered to the Canadian Forces in 1998. Saskatoon is the tenth ship of her class and is the second vessel to use the designation HMCS Saskatoon. Named after the Canadian city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, other references to the city are found on the ship with the ships captains desk named Cranberry Flats and a main corridor in the ship named after Idylwyld Drive. Saskatoon is assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) of the Royal Canadian Navy and is homeported at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

YAG training vessel Canadian Navy vessels

YAG 300 vessels were a series of ten wooden boats built between 1954 and 1955 that throughout their service acted as yard ferries, training platforms and test beds for route survey equipment with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

HMCS <i>Fraser</i> (DDH 233) Destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy

HMCS Fraser was a St. Laurent-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and later the Canadian Forces from 1957–1994. Fraser was the last survivor of the St. Laurent-class destroyer, which were the first Canadian designed and built warships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maritime Forces Pacific</span> Canadian Navy unit for fleet training and readiness in the Pacific

In the Canadian Armed Forces, Maritime Forces Pacific is responsible for the fleet training and operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Pacific Ocean. It was once referred to as Canadian Pacific Station.

The Royal Canadian Navy uses hull classification symbols to identify the types of its ships, which are similar to the United States Navy's hull classification symbol system. The Royal Navy and some European and Commonwealth navies use a somewhat analogous system of pennant numbers.

HMCS <i>Beacon Hill</i>

HMCS Beacon Hill was a River-class frigate that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as an ocean convoy escort during the Second World War. She fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1954 she was converted to a Prestonian-class frigate and served until 1957. She was named for Victoria, British Columbia, but because HMS Victorious was in service with the Royal Navy, the RCN, in an effort to avoid confusion, chose to honour the city by choosing another name associated with it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Forces Naval Reserve</span> Military unit

The Naval Reserve is the Primary Reserve component of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, including: domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the Navy's efforts in connecting with Canadians through the maintenance of a broad national presence.

HMCS <i>Harry DeWolf</i> Royal Canadian Navy offshore patrol vessel

HMCS Harry DeWolf is the lead ship of its class of offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). 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. Named after Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf, a former head of the RCN, the vessel was ordered in 2011, laid down in 2016 and launched in 2018. The vessel completed contractors sea trials in July 2020, was delivered to the RCN on 31 July 2020 and began post-acceptance sea trials. Harry DeWolf was commissioned on 26 June 2021.

CFAV <i>Caribou</i> (YAG 314) One of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Caribou was one of ten wooden YAG-300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Caribou primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

CFAV <i>Badger</i> (YAG 319) One of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Badger (YAG-319) was one of ten wooden YAG-300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Badger primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Lynx was one of ten wooden YAG-300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Lynx primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

CFAV <i>Grizzly</i> (YAG 306) One of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Grizzly was one of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Grizzly primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. Her name perpetuated the WWII armed yacht HMCS Grizzly was reused for PTC 60 GrizzlyOrca-class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) tender that replaced the YAG 300 vessels as the RCN training tenders in 2008.

CFAV <i>Cougar</i> (YAG 308) One of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Cougar was one of ten wooden YAG 300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Cougar primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. Her name was reused for PTC 61 CougarOrca-class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) tender that replaced the YAG 300 vessels as the RCN training tenders in 2008.

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Otter was one of ten wooden YAG-300 vessels built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1953 and 1955. Built for use as auxiliary craft, Otter primarily served as an at-sea training platform for junior naval officers, boatswains, reserve personnel and Sea Cadets at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bill van Dinther". Canadiana Naval Technology History Association. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule". Diesel Progress (April 2007) (North American ed.). Diesel & Gas Turbine Publications. 1 April 2007.
  3. ↑ "Orca Class". hazegray.org. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "New Training Vessels for the Navy: The Orca Class". CDNMilitary.ca. January 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Peer, David (Summer 2013). "Making Waves – The Orca Project: A Procurement Success" (PDF). Canadian Naval Review. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "Rules and Guides for Naval Ships". American Bureau of Shipping. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "350WT Cat 4 - Terra Nova Steel Inc". terranovasteel.com. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Orca Class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) Vessels". Naval Technology. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  9. ↑ Tucker, Gilbert Norman (1952). The Naval Service of Canada : Activities on Shore During the Second World War (PDF). Vol. II. Ottawa, Ontario: King's Printer. p. 23.
  10. ↑ "Canadian Naval History". Naval Museum of Manitoba. Retrieved 23 January 2020.[ dead link ]
  11. 1 2 Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (17 December 2019). "Minor Warships and Auxiliary Vessel (W8482-171789/B)". buyandsell.gc.ca. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  12. 1 2 Thomas, Doug. "Warship Developments: Training Ships: Virtual or Actual?" (PDF). Canadian Naval Review. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  13. ↑ Smart, Amy (15 June 2017). "Patrol training vessel runs into docked submarine at CFB Esquimalt". Times Colonist. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
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