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HMCS PROTECTEUR 509
Auxiliary Oil Replenishment Ship
PROTECTEUR was commissioned in Saint John on 30 Aug 1969. She departed Saint John 10 Oct 1969 and arrived in Halifax for the first time on Sunday, 12 Oct 1969 at 1700. RAS trails were conducted in St Margaret's Bay 24 - 28 Dec 1969. PROTECTEUR departed Halifax on 06 Dec 1969 for a port visit in Boston 10-15 Dec 1969, returning to NAD Halifax on 16 Dec 1969. 1970 started off with a return to Saint John Drydock - returning to Halifax on 10 Jan 1970. PROTECTEUR took part in CARIBOPS '70 with a port visit to Roosevelt Roads, PR, 31 Mar - 06 Apr, returning to Halifax on 11 Apr 1970. On 27 Jul 1970, along with HMCS Skeena and HMCS Annapolis, she departed Halifax to celebrate Manitoba's Centennial with visits to Fort Churchill, Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, Wakeham Bay, Coral Harbour and Frobisher Bay with a Crossing the Arctic Circle ceremony (18 Aug). On 08 Jan 1973, HMCS PROTECTEUR and HMCS Margaree departed Halifax for a five month deployment with the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (SNFL), returning to Halifax on 06 May 1973. On 17 Jul 1976, HMCS PROTECTEUR, along with HMCS SKEENA and HMCS FRASER arrived at Montreal in support of the 1976 Olympics. In June, 1982, HMCS PROTECTEUR rescued the crew of MV Essi Silje and eventually took the vessel in tow before turning her over to salvage tugs. Her crew was awarded a portion of the salvage proceeds for the vessel. Along with ATHABASKAN and TERRA NOVA she departed Halifax on 24 Aug 1990 for Operation Friction, Canada's contribution to operations against Iraq following that country's invasion of Kuwait. In preparation, her bow 3"50 was re-installed, as were two CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) mounts and other upgrades. Upon her return in the fall of 1991 PROTECTEUR made visits to ports in Newfoundland, and a year later journeyed south to offer aid to victims in Florida of Hurricane Andrew. She sailed from Halifax on 15 Oct 1992 to begin a two-year refit at SRU(P), Esquimalt, returning to service in Aug 1995. On 09 Jul 1993 she was transferred to the west coast fleet. On 16 Sep 1999 she departed Esquimalt to join the multinational forces responding to the crisis in East Timor. After serving as the force logistics coordinator for five months, she returned home on 02 Mar 2000. A major refit was undertaken in 2001 and on 22 May 2002 PROTECTEUR departed Esquimalt to replace Preserver in Operation Apollo in the Arabian Sea. By the time she returned to Esquimalt in Nov 2002, PROTECTEUR had sailed more than 50,000 nautical miles and delivered over 150,000 barrels of fuel. Over the next decade, she was a fixture of Maritime Forces Pacific in national and international exercises such as Trident Fury and RIMPAC, and on several occasions served as the allied MIDPAC oiler.
On 27 Feb 2014 PROTECTEUR suffered from a fire in her engine room at approximately 2240 hrs while returning to Esquimalt. She was approximately 340 nautical miles from Pearl Harbour. After an intense 11 hour battle, PROTECTEUR's crew succeeded in putting out the fire and saving the ship. Twenty personnel who sustained minor injuries were treated on board. PROTECTEUR sustained considerable damage to the engine room and was without propulsion after the fire. USS MICHAEL MURPHY and USS CHOSIN arrived on scene to provide assistance, removed civilians who were on board, and took her in tow until arrival of the seagoing tug USNS SIOUX. PROTECTEUR arrived in Pearl Harbor, under tow by USNS SIOUX, on 06 Mar 2014. On 31 May 2014, PROTECTEUR returned, under tow, to Esquimalt, BC. It was determined that she would not be repaired. She was paid off on 14 May 2015 at Esquimalt, BC.
On 24 Feb 2016, PROTECTEUR left Esquimalt under tow by the salvage tug CORBIN FOSS, bound for Liverpool, Nova Scotia to be broken up. After transiting the canal zone 21 - 23 Mar 2016, the CORBIN FOXX Foss turned the tow over to the ocean tug ATLANTIC LARCH Larch for the trip from Panama to Nova Scotia. In the early morning hours of 22 Apr 2016, the former HMCS PROTECTEUR arrived alongside at the yard of R.J. MacIsaac Construction to be broken up.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos The Ship's Bells Commissioning book
Honours and Departmental Awards Announcement
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
O
P
Q
R
S
T
V
W
Former Crew Members
CC = Commissioning Crew
Photos and Documents
Fire on HMCS PROTECTEUR 27 Feb 2014
On Thursday, February 27, 2014, HMCS PROTECTEUR 509 had a fire in her engine room resulting in a loss of propulsion. PROTECTEUR was about 340 nautical miles north of Pearl Harbour when the fire happened. USS MICHAEL MURPHY, USS CHOSIN and USNS SIOUX were sent by the USN to assist PROTECTEUR and tow her back to Pearl Harbour.
Photo 1 - USS Michael Murphy 112 and USS Chosin 65 were sent to assist HMCS PROTECTEUR after the fire in her engine room on 27 Feb 2014 while awaiting the arrival of an ocean tug // USN Photo Photo 2 - Ocean Tug USNS Sioux 171 - Dispatched from Pearl Harbour to assist and tow HMCS PROTECTEUR back to Pearl Harbour // USN Photo Photo 3 - USS Chosin 65 and USS Murphy 112 were sent to assist HMCS PROTECTEUR after the fire in her engine room on 27 Feb 2014 while awaiting the arrival of an ocean tug // USN Photo Photo 4 - Pacific Ocean: 01 Mar 2014 - HMCS PROTECTEUR 509 being towed by USS Chosin (CG65) after a fire in the engine room of HMCS PROTECTEUR left her without propulsion. // Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro, USN Photo 5 - Pacific Ocean: 01 Mar 2014 - Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) observe the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS PROTECTEUR during a towing operation // Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro, USN Photo 6 - Pacific Ocean: 01 Mar 2014 - The Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS PROTECTEUR is towed behind the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) // Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro, USN Photo 7 - PEARL HARBOR: 06 Mar 2014-The Military Sealift Command fleet ocean tug USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171) tows the Royal Canadian Navy auxiliary oil replenishment ship HMCS PROTECTEUR (AOR 509) to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam // Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker, USN Photo 8 - PEARL HARBOR: 06 Mar 2014 - U.S. Navy tow boats assist in the return of the Royal Canadian Navy auxiliary oil replenishment ship HMCS PROTECTEUR (AOR 509) to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam // Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tiarra Fulgham, USN Photo 9 - USNS Salvor at anchor in Simpsons Harbour. U.S. Navy photo 121114-N-TM257-136 // USNS Salvor towed HMCS PROTECTEUR, damaged from an engine room fire, back to Esquimalt from Pearl Harbour. Photo 10 - HMCS PROTECTEUR 509 being towed by Canadian tugboats past "The Brothers" into Esquimalt Harbour, 31 May 2014, 0815 hrs. The tow had been switch to the tugs from USNS Salvor which had towed PROTECTEUR back to Esquimalt from Pearl Harbour // Courtesy of Shane Walters // © Shane Walters 2014
Tiger Cruise and the fire on HMCS PROTECTEUR
The photos below were taken by Jonathan Wade Kehler, Studio479, during the "Tiger Cruise" on HMCS PROTECTEUR. Eighteen family members of PROTECTEUR's crew hand been invited to join the ship for the last leg of her voyage home from Pearl Harbour to Esquimalt, B.C. which should have been an introduction to day to day life on board a Canadian warship - had it not been for the engine room fire that occurred on the evening of 27 Feb 2014.
Credit / © Jonathan Wade Kehler, Studio479 "These photos may not be reused, reproduced or sold without permission of the copyright holder."
Photo 1 - "Hands fall in at sea" // Awards were given out to members of the ship's company Photo 2 - A view of the horizon from the flight deck of HMCS PROTECTEUR Photo 3 - HMCS PROTECTEUR's Sea King helicopter in the hangar Photo 4 - Port side jungle deck on HMCS PROTECTEUR Photo 5 - "A great reminder of who we are."
Photo 6 - A cabin on HMCS PROTECTEUR Photo 7 - Man "Oscar" Overboard // A man overboard exercise is conducted on HMCS PROTECTEUR. In the first photo, Oscar has fallen over the side. In the 2nd photo, the Zodiac is being launched to rescue Oscar. After his rescue, Oscar is returned to his storage area on the upper deck. Photo 8 - "Sunset after our first day at sea" Photo 9 - The Sea King is being prepared for launching Photo 10 - Family members were taken on famil flights on the Sea King
photo 11 - "We have lift off" Photo 12 - HMCS PROTECTEUR - photo taken from the Sea King Photo 13 - HMCS PROTECTEUR - photo taken from the Sea King Photo 14 - HMCS PROTECTEUR - photo taken from the Sea King Photo 15 - And once again, a beautiful sunset before dinner. It was shortly after this that the fire broke out.
Photo 16 - Sam Kehler (left) and RJ McBean (right) Photo 17 - Sam Kehler (foreground) Photo 18 - After the fire the wardroom was turned in to bunk space for the officers who gave up their cabins for the civilian guests as the after house was not habitable. Photo 19 - The Zodiac bring supplies for USS Michael Murphy Photo 20 - Without power for the winches, supplies are hauled onboard by hand
Photo 21 - A short break before resuming work Photo 22 - USS Michael Murphy makes an approach on the bow of HMCS PROTECTEUR in an attempt to pass a line. Photo 23 - After a miss on the first attempt, USS Michael Murphy swings around to try again. Photo 24 - HMCS PROTECTEUR's crew makes ready to pass the tow line. Photo 25 - USS Chosin provided much need support and supplies to HMCS PROTECTEUR
Photo 26 - With all the guests safely on USS Michael Murphy, USNS Sioux begins the long tow back to Pearl Harbour with HMCS PROTECTEUR Photo 27 - The Canadian Tigers // Family members of the crew of HMCS PROTECTEUR on board USS Michael Murphy
All photos in the Tiger Cruise and fire on HMCS PROTECTEUR collection are Credit / © Jonathan Wade Kehler, Studio479 "These photo may not be reused, reproduced or sold without permission of the copyright holder."
Fire Damage to HMCS PROTECTEUR
Photo 1 - Port TA. This was the seat of the fire. You are looking at the gauge panel, the Woodward 505 governor control box, and then the box behind is the control air drier controller.
Photo 2 - Aft end of the port TA, with the hydraulic start pack (used to provide hydraulic force for the throttle) on the left, and the output from the alternator on the right hand side. (facing aft)
Photo 3 - Stbd side of the engine room. Fwd 3 deck is the deairator, then the gauge panel is for the air ejector, behind that is the 130 ton chiller (on 517, last I was aboard), with the fwd Ship Service air compressor after the gap (beside the ladder). The loop is a Sampson loop, used to allow for thermal expansion of the steam line (600 PSI/865F) to the stbd TA. Photo is taken a little fwd of the seat of the fire, on the 2 deck catwalk. Box/semi circle are the throttle casing/HP turbine casing, with the pipe going to them being the main steam line.
Source/Credit: Twitter feed of Tim Jensen Photo descriptions source: Facebook page - Royal Canadian Navy Today and Yesterday, comments by James Powell
Awards Ceremony at Rideau Hall, Quebec for 9 members of the crew of HMCS PROTECTEUR
Governor General David Johnston presented medals to nine members of the PROTECTEUR during a special ceremony in Quebec City.
Photographer: MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall, OSGG - 05 Oct 2016
Medal of Bravery
Petty Officer 2nd Class André Aubry was in the engine room when the explosion occurred. He emptied several extinguishers onto the flames as they spread, but was forced to retreat. His actions allowed his fellow crew members to escape the engine room.
Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)
Cmdr. Julian Elbourne, the commanding officer, demonstrated leadership and “outstanding actions were instrumental in minimizing injuries and protecting the lives of the 300 crew, and in saving the ship from sinking.”
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Ian Kelly is credited for leading the effort to identify and locate missing crew during the chaos.
Lt.-Cmdr. Jeffrey Murray showed professionalism in the aftermath of the fire and kept the crew focused on preparing the ship for towing and allowing the ship to arrive safely in Pearl Harbor with no casualties.
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Penner used his technical acumen to make quick decisions in a smoke-filled compartment to prevent catastrophic explosions and serious injury or death.
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Leading Seaman Andrew Astles was the attack team leader and played a critical role in successfully extinguishing the fire.
Capt. Michael Gibbons, who provided pastoral support to the ship, maintained order and motivated the crew to fight the fire.
Leading Seaman Curtis Korolyk entered the intense heat and flames of the fire zone five times, volunteered for the hazardous duty of locking the propeller shaft, and acted as on-scene commander in the boiler room.
Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Storie was able to restore temporary electrical power to the ship, returning to the fire zone to retrieve parts.
CCR door from HMCS PROTECTEUR - signed by the members of the Nav Comm branch after the engine room fire - on display at the Communications School, Naden, CFB Esquimalt
Courtesy of Jesse Chin-Yet, Nav Comm
The long tow to the Breaker's Yard
(1) Ocean tug Corbin Foss prepares to tow the former HMCS PROTECTEUR from Esquimalt, BC to Liverpool, NS - 24 Feb 2016 (2) Ocean tug Corbin Foss begins the long tow, taking PROTECTEUR from Esquimalt, BC to the breakers yard in Liverpool, NS - 24 Feb 2016 (3) PROTECTEUR leaves Esquimalt for the last time, under tow, bound for the breakers yard in Nova Scotia - 24 Feb 2016 (4) PROTECTEUR leaves Esquimalt for the last time, under tow, bound for the breakers yard in Nova Scotia - 24 Feb 2016 (5) PROTECTEUR leaves Esquimalt for the last time, under tow, bound for the breakers yard in Nova Scotia - 24 Feb 2016
(6) PROTECTEUR leaves Esquimalt for the last time, under tow, bound for the breakers yard in Nova Scotia - 24 Feb 2016 (7) Former HMCS PROTECTEUR, under tow by the salvage tug Corbin Foss, transiting the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal - 21 Mar 2016 Source: Miraflores Locks webcam / Rick Sideroff (via Royal Canadian Navy Today and Yesterday facebook page)
Legend: GV - © / Courtesy of Greg Volkman 2016 DL - Courtesy of Dean Lang / © Photographer Peter Storey 2016 SD - © / Courtesy of Sandi Dryen 2016 SC - © / Courtesy of Steve Cockerill 2016 PO - © / Courtesy of Paul Ouellette 2016
Note: the Corbin Foss turned the tow over to the Atlantic Larch on the western side of the canal zone after exiting the Gatun Locks.
The end of the tow - PROTECTEUR arrives at Liverpool, NS
(8) In the early morning hours of 22 Apr 2016, the former HMCS PROTECTEUR, under tow by the tug Atlantic Larch, arrived at Liverpool NS to be broken up (9) Former HMCS PROTECTEUR alongside at the yard of R.J. MacIsaac Construction, where she will be broken up. (10) Former HMCS PROTECTEUR alongside at the yard of R.J. MacIsaac Construction, where she will be broken up.
Legend: RM - Photographer / © Dr. Ross Myers 2016 CM - © / Courtesy of Colin Machaffie 2016 BB - © / Coutresy of Bill Brisin
At the Breaker's Yard
The forward house of the former HMCS PROTECTEUR being demolished
(left) The former HMCS PROTECTEUR at the breaker's yard 27 Oct 2016. The RAS stations have been removed and her forward house has been demolished. (right) The former HMCS PROTECTEUR at the breaker's yard 06 Nov 2016. The hangar / after house is being demolished and almost
Photographer: © Rick Sideroff 2016 Courtesy of Rick Sideroff
The bitter end
The hulk of the former HMCS PROTECTEUR pulled ashore and being broken up
Photographer: Alain Delisle Source: HMCS PROTECTEUR facebook page
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
