At midday yesterday, the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic offshore patrol vessel HMCS Margaret Brooke arrived at the Buenos Aires Naval Station, making one of several planned technical stops on its journey to Antarctica. The ship and its crew will mark a milestone in Canadian naval history with their visit to the White Continent and the subsequent circumnavigation of South America, an operation conducted as part of the so-called Operation “PROJECTION.”
The HMCS Margaret Brooke was welcomed at the Buenos Aires Naval Station by officials from the Argentine Navy and the Canadian Embassy. Stewart Wheeler, Canada’s Ambassador to Argentina, expressed that the arrival of the Royal Canadian Navy vessel in Argentina “is a very exciting day for us, welcoming the Margaret Brooke. It is an opportunity within the scientific and defense framework to strengthen ties with Argentina. We hope this type of deployment can take place more regularly.”
The Canadian diplomat also indicated that the presence of the HMCS Margaret Brooke is a concrete example of the collaboration established in the Letter of Intent signed by Minister Petri and the Canadian Department of Defense in Mendoza. “This is a first step toward advancing polar research efforts to develop a more comprehensive understanding of our region, also to understand and improve exchange ties with Argentine military personnel,” emphasized the ambassador.
Onboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke was the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, Commodore Jacob French, who stated that “the mission to Antarctica is an inaugural voyage for the HMCS Margaret Brooke and for the RCN. While this is not the first time we have operated in South America, our presence in these waters and in Antarctica is rather rare.”
When asked by Zona Militar about the expectations for the HMCS Margaret Brooke‘s mission in Antarctica, Commodore French explained that they hope “to learn, improve partnerships with South American countries, and deepen these relationships.” The Commodore also referred to the importance of Antarctica and its global relevance, stating that, based on experience in the Arctic, Canada is recognizing similarities in the evolving geopolitics surrounding Antarctica. This includes security issues.
“Canada has been and is one of the key players and guarantors ensuring that Arctic states maintain a stance of peace and stability in the region. We are very interested in ensuring that the same happens in Antarctica. Canada has not been one of the main players in Antarctica, but it could be in the future,” concluded French.
For her part, Commander Teri Share, commanding officer of the HMCS Margaret Brooke, highlighted the scientific nature of the vessel. “This is the first time the Royal Canadian Navy has embarked on a mission of this kind to Antarctica. To carry out this deployment, the Margaret Brooke is hosting fifteen Canadian scientists from both governmental organizations and universities. This interdisciplinary team will conduct maritime and terrestrial research.”
Canadian officials detailed that the HMCS Margaret Brooke plans to visit Chile’s Antarctic base and maintain ongoing exchanges with Argentina’s bases. The Margaret Brooke will operate in the area of King George Island (25 de Mayo Island), north of the Antarctic Peninsula. “One of the objectives is to navigate Antarctic Circle waters,” emphasized Commander Teri Share.
HMCS Margaret Brooke
Commander Teri Share highlighted that the HMCS Margaret Brooke is a relatively new vessel, commissioned into service in 2022. “It is one of the newest ships in the Royal Canadian Navy. The second of a total of six units. Each patrol vessel was named after a Canadian naval hero.” Named in honor of Margaret Brooke, a courageous nurse who risked her life to save others during the sinking of a ship in World War II, the HMCS Margaret Brooke continues her legacy of resilience and leadership.
With a displacement of over 6,000 tons, the Arctic patrol vessel measures 103.6 meters in length and 19 meters in beam. Additionally, the ship is equipped to accommodate up to 87 crew members, as well as the capability to operate helicopters or drones from its flight deck.
The HMCS Margaret Brooke was designed to withstand extreme climates and carry out patrol, logistical support, and scientific research missions in both the Arctic and Antarctica. This versatility makes it a key asset in the Royal Canadian Navy’s operations in remote regions.
The ship’s most recent activities took place in the Arctic as part of the Royal Canadian Navy’s summer deployment. “There, we conducted patrols, worked with Canadian agencies, assisted in the construction of infrastructure in northern Canada,” stated Commander Teri Share.
Acknowledgments: Canadian Embassy in Argentina; Argentine Navy; Royal Canadian Navy.
You may also like: The U.S. Navy’s USS Carl Vinson will conduct exercises with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga in the Pacific
