Navy welcomes new interim supply vessel amid political intrigue
HALIFAX — Against a backdrop of political intrigue, the Royal Canadian Navy officially welcomed its newest vessel to the fleet during a ceremony in Halifax.
The MV Asterix, a former civilian container ship, was extensively reconfigured by Quebec-based Davie Shipbuilding to serve as an interim resupply vessel while the navy awaits construction of two military replacements. The ship gained notoriety in early 2017 after court documents showed the RCMP suspected Vice-Admiral Mark Norman of leaking secret documents to Davie over fears the federal government would cancel the project. Norman remains suspended, but has not been charged with any crime and has denied wrongdoing.
Resupply vessels are considered critical for conducting naval operations around the world. Not only do they carry fuel and food for naval task groups, but also have medical and maintenance facilities.
Under the Conservatives, the federal government awarded Davie a $700-million contract for the Asterix conversion in 2015. The converted ship will be commanded by a civilian and managed by Federal Fleet Services Inc., a Davie sister company, as part of a five-year contract, which can be extended. Members of the Royal Canadian Navy and other military personnel will also serve aboard the vessel. They will perform specific military functions, including refuelling and resupplying navy vessels at sea.
Last month, a senior officer confirmed Asterix has some limitations — notably that it can’t sail into harm’s way. Commodore Craig Skjerpen, commander of Canada’s Atlantic Fleet, said Asterix isn’t a true military vessel, which is why it won’t be allowed to operate in dangerous environments. But Spencer Fraser of Federal Fleet Services has said the ship has “a robust force protection capability.”
The ship is needed because the navy lost both of its replenishment ships — HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver — in 2014, ahead of anticipated retirement dates.