Commissioning of HMCS Frédérick Rolette Held in Ottawa

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Frédérick Rolette was commissioned into service by the Royal Canadian Navy at a ceremony held in Ottawa on June 13, according to National Defence.

This event marks the addition of HMCS Frédérick Rolette as the fifth Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) to join the fleet. The commissioning is part of ongoing fleet expansion efforts to equip the Navy for operations in Canadian northern and offshore waters.

National Defence stated that the ceremony included the traditional presentation of the commissioning pennant to Commander Jolene Lisi, the ship’s commanding officer, and the raising of both the ship’s pennant and ensign. The department reports that the crew underwent several months of trials and readiness training to prepare for the vessel’s entry into service.

According to information from National Defence, the Harry DeWolf class vessels, including HMCS Frédérick Rolette, are designed to patrol Canada’s northernmost regions and offshore waters. The ships have space to transport cargo, can embark small vehicles, and deploy boats. National Defence states that in the future, these vessels will have the capacity to operate a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. The department describes the ships as equipped to conduct surveillance and provide armed presence, as well as to participate in humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and disaster relief operations.

National Defence notes that HMCS Frédérick Rolette is named after Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, a Canadian-born officer who served during the War of 1812. The naming ceremony for the vessel took place in May 2024, and the ship was delivered in August 2024. According to the department, the sixth and final vessel in the Harry DeWolf class, HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, is currently in production and is expected to be delivered by August 2025.