HMCS PROVIDER 508

Auxiliary Oil Replenishment Ship

Built by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Que, she was commissioned there on 28 Sep 1963. She was the first Operational Support ship in the RCN and was designed with the capacity for the stowage of fuel, ammunition, supplies, provisions (dry and refrigerated) and replacement helicopters. She was also designed to transfer supplies and personnel underway and provided support to operational forces at sea. At the time, she was the largest ship built in Canada for the RCN. She had 26 fuel cargo tanks which held approximately 14,000 tons of FFO, 1,500 tons of diesel and 900 tons of aviation gas (JP5) along with 430 tons of ammunition, provisions and spare parts. HMCS PROVIDER had the capability of replenished and refueling up to 4000 gals/min at 18 plus knots. Late in 1969, with the arrival of the two follow-on AORs, HMCS PRESERVER and HMCS PROTECTEUR, she was transferred to the west coast.

On 04 May 1970, HMCS PROVIDER 508, HMCS MACKENZIE 261, HMCS YYUKON 263 and HMCS TERRA NOVA 259 departed Esquimalt for a Far East cruise.

On 08 May 1986, HMCS PROVIDER 508, HMCS RESTIGOUCHE 257, HMCS TERRA NOVA 259 and HMCS KOOTENAY 258, departed Esquimalt for Exercise RIMPAC 86 and returned on 21 Jun 1986.

In the spring of 1990 she took part in the Pacific Rim countries' exercise RIMPAC 90, along with units of the 2nd and 4th Destroyer Squadrons, which afterward visited Vladivostok, the first western warships to do so since 1939. Afterward, en route to visit Manila, she rescued a large number of Vietnamese boat people that had spent nine days without food or water after their boat had broken down.

In late 1993 and early 1994 she took part in the UN embargo of Haiti. She returned to Halifax in June 1996. The ship was paid off 24 June 1998, two years later than originally planned, and remained in Halifax Harbour until 2002 while she awaited auction. She was sold to Greek interests and on 26 Jul 2002 left Halifax under tow for Greece, to become a water storage vessel. The following year she was towed to Turkey and broken up.

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

RCN Memories:     A Box of Asparagus          Air Sea Rescue RCN Style          Communist China and Script Money          Man Overboard!!

Commanding Officers

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Y

Former Crew Members

SH - pers identified in photos from the collection of Steve Hlasny - 1972 to 1976

Photos and Documents

(PRV01) "The hull of PROVIDER awaits to slip down the ways at David Ship Building, Lauzon, QC - 05 Jul 1062 - Courtesy of Hugh Muir

(PRV02) Basic diagram of PROVIDER's layout - Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

(PRV03) HMCS PROVIDER 508 departing Halifax Jun 1967 - Courtesy of Hugh Muir

(PRV04) HMCS PROVIDER 508 - DND photo # 508-234 - Courtesy of the Comox RCAF Museum

(PRV05) Newspaper article dated 26 Sep 1963 on Capt. Pullen, HMCS PROVIDER'S soon to be Commanding Officer when she is commissioned on 28 Sep 1963 - Courtesy of Art Moore

(PRV06) HMCS PROVIDER conducting a RAS with HMCS BONAVENTURE and HMCS CAP DE LA MADELEINE - Spring 1965 - Courtesy of Robert Norris

(PRV07) Routine Orders - 01 Nov 1967 - HMCS PROVIDER 508 - Courtesy of Patrick Vuillemin

(PRV08)HMCS PROVIDER at sea - 1967.  Photo taken from HMCS BONAVENTURE - Courtesy of / © Brian Lapierre 1967

(PRV09) HMCS PROVIDER arrival in Esquimalt Dec 1969 - Courtesy of Robert Berbeck

(PRV10) Storing beer on HMCS PROVIDER 508 circa 1977 - Courtesy of William Lepp

(PRV11) HMCS ATHABASKAN breaking away from PROVIDER and GATINEAU off the coast of California in spring of 1977. WESTEX 77, first 280 in the Pacific Ocean - Courtesy of Michael Cowen - Photo restoration by Art Turner

(PRV12) HMCS PROVIDER refueling HMCS RESTIGOUCHE on the left, HMCS GATINEAU on the right with HMCS TERRA NOVA in the back in the Lifeguard Station. Photo was taken in May 1983, en route to Japan - Courtesy of Robert Berbeck

(PRV13) HMCS PROVIDER 508 - date unknown - From the collection of Sid Dobing - Courtesy of Brian Dobing

(PRV13) HMCS PROVIDER, MCR - 1985 - (L-R) MS Dennings (Evaporator Watchkeeper), PO1 Ben Seminuk (Throttle Watchkeeper) PO1 Al Jefferies (Boiler Watchkeeper), LS Steve Gosling, CPO2 Don Little - Chief of the Watch, unknown - Courtesy of Don Little

(PRV14) Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS PROVIDER 508 - EO LCDR Jones aka "Charlie two feathers" in the dunk chair - Courtesy of Jeff Boccabella

(PRV15) Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS PROVIDER 508 - I think that is the Doc in the stocks, Ernie Peaker doing the honors to kiss the fish, Tom Landry and Art Wonga - Courtesy of Jeff Boccabella

(PRV16) Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS PROVIDER 508 - Jim Gutteridge in the stocks with Cuthbertson, Billsten with Bill Layman and Terry Mamloff on the stairs - Courtesy of Jeff Boccabella

(PRV17 )HMCS PROVIDER 508  fuelling USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 - Courtesy of Keith McDougall

(PRV018) Crew list from HMCS PROVIDER'S 1987 Re-Activation booklet - Courtesy of Chris Kenny

(PRV019) HMCS PROVIDER Stores Dept. - Beard Growing Contest Day - 1989 - Courtesy of Chris Kenny //  See the ship's company photo page to see the photo with names

(PRV020) HMCS PROVIDER - undated  // RCN photo

(PR021) Judy awaiting arrival of HMCS PROVIDER, Royal City, New Westminster, BC - 07 Jun 1974.  Judy's boyfriend Glen Bryden, Met Tech, was on board PROVIDER.  A new reporter took this photo.

(PRV022) HMCS PROVIDER 508 in the appoaches to Halifax Harbour - 1968

DND Neg # SW 68-542

Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax

(JM01) HMCS PROVIDER in rough seas - 1969

(JM02) Jean-Marie Marion on HMCS PROVIDER - 1969

(JM03) Jean-Marie racked out

(JM04) Mess deck on HMCS PROVIDER

(JM05) Pierre Lemieux on HMCS PROVIDER

(JM06) Pierre Lemieux on HMCS PROVIDER

(JM07) Seaman's mess / Rec space

(JM08-JM10) HMCS PROVIDER conducting a RAS with HMCS MACKENZIE 261

(JM11) HMCS PROVIDER conducting a RAS with HMCS MACKENZIE 261

Courtesy of Jean-Marie Marion

(GC01) Article on Gary Cook serving in HMCS PROVIDER 508 for RIMPAC '73

(GC02) Gary Cook and clown Garry Reid - Children's Christmas Party in the hangar of HMCS PROVIDER 508 - c1974

(GC03) Commodore's Inspection - HMCS PROVIDER 508 divisions on the jetty - undated

(GC04) OS Norm Worthy (left) and Gary Cook - 1977

(GC03) Duncan MacIsaac, Gary Cook and Gordie Drier - the night before leaving on WESTPLOY '75

(GC04) Sailors off HMCS PROVIDER 508 on the beach in Hawaii - RIMPAC '73 or WESTPLOY '75  //  L-R: "Coco" , Rob Stuppiello, Gary Cook, unknown, Glen (Hank) Myers

(GC05) Stokers off HMCS PROVIDER climbing the stairs to Pusan during WESTPLOY '75  //  Harry Reid, Garry Reid, Glen (Hank) Myers, Rob Stuppiello

(GC06) Sign outside a bar in Yokahama, Japan

(GC09) Rob Stuppiello and Gary Cook 8 mess, HMCS PROVIDER

(GC10) Gary Cook on the upper deck of HMCS PROVIDER

(GC11) Gary Cook in 5 Mess, HMCS PROVIDER

(GC12) Gary Cook as part of the Shore Patrol in San Diego, California

(GC13) Rob Stuppiello and Garry Reid, Japan, WESTPLOY '75

Courtesy of Gary Cook, Stoker, C.A.F. (Navy)

(SH228)  Newspaper article on EX RIMPAC 72

(SH229) HMCS RESTIGOUCHE RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

(SH230) USS TICONDEROGA

(SH231) USS MORTON coming along side HMCS PROVIDER for a RAS

(SH232) Dental truck on HMCS PROVIDER for EX RIMPAC 72. PO1 Ed sitting on the back of the truck

(SH233) Dolphins between HMCS GATINEAU and HMCS PROVIDER during a RAS

(SH234) HMCS QU'APPELLE conducting RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

Crossing the Line on HMCS PROVIDER, 25 Sep 1972 - EX RIMPAC 72

(SH235) Akhurst, John Potter, Marsh

(SH236)  Akhurst, Dauoren, Brane

(SH237) Johnston

(SH238) Steve Hlasny, Dauoren

(SH239) Birch-Jones (XO), Crickard (CO)

Crossing the Line on HMCS PROVIDER, 25 Sep 1972 - EX RIMPAC 72

(SH240) Sailors getting dunked

(SH241 List of Neptune's Court and Tadpoles

(SH243) Article from the Esquimalt LOOKOUT, 26 Oct 1972 on the Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS PROVIDER during EX RIMPAC 72

HMCS PROVIDER having a "No Day", crossing the International Date Line, EX RIMPAC 72

(SH243) White

(SH244) Ackhurst and White

(SH245) Frank Sailor, foreground, right, looking at camera

(SH246) Birch-Jones

HMCS PROVIDER having a "No Day", crossing the International Date Line, EX RIMPAC 72

(SH247) Silcon and Dick Story, front left

(SH248) Two storesmen, foreground

(SH249) Bob Bader, Mel Gunther, Arny Yates, renting a car at Suva, Fiji and going on a tour

(SH250) Mel Gunther, Steve Hlasny, Arny Yates and Bob Bader, Suva, Fiji, 28 Sep 1972

(SH251) Steve Hlasny and Mel Gunther, Suva, Fiji, 28 Sep 1972

(SH252) HMAS STUART conducting RAS with HMCS PROVIDER during LONGEX 72

(SH253) HMAS BRISBANE conducting RAS with HMCS PROVIDER during LONGEX 72

(SH254) HMCS PROVIDER 508 entering Sydney, Australia, 1972

(SH255) HMCS PROVIDER at Garden Island, Australia, 1972

EX RIMPAC 73

(SH256) Ed Lascelle (no shirt), on HMCS PROVIDER, Sep 1973, USS Midway in the background

(SH257)  PROVIDER'S Helos, San Diego, Sep 1973

(SH258) HMCS PROVIDER

(SH259) Ralph Torris, Mel Gunther, HMCS PROVIDER

(SH260) PO2 Steve Hlasny receiving his first clasp to his CD at divisions on HMCS PROVIDER during EX RIMPAC 73

EX RIMPAC 73

(SH261-SH263) One of the USN Helo crew members and holder of the golden mattress award on HMCS PROVIDER, EX RIMPAC 73

(SH264) USS Constellation with a flight deck area of 4 acres

(SH265) HMCS PROVIDER'S boat crew bring over 2 injured crew from HMCS Rainbow, Mar 1974

(SH266) Helos joining HMCS PROVIDER from North Island, Mar 1974

(SH267) Turkish sailors on board HMCS PROVIDER for the day, Mar 1974 - Also in photo - Frank Sailor, Jim Parson, Larry Sawatsky, Glen Brydon

(SH268) Bridge on HMCS PROVIDER

RAS Teams Close Up - Mar 1974

(SH269) Guided missile cruiser USS Chicago coming along side HMCS PROVIDER for fuel

(SH270) USS Bradley conducting RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

(SH271) HMCS St Croix conducting a jackstay with HMCS PROVIDER

(SH272) HMCS MACKENZIE pulls away after a RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

(SH273) HMCS GATINEAU conducting a RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

HMCS PROVIDER'S tour of Vancouver Island ports, Jun/Jul 1974

(SH274) Tahsis Sawmill

(SH275) Crown Zellar, Elk Bay

(SH276) Jervis Inlet

(SH277) Halifax Range Inland Passage

HMCS PROVIDER'S tour of Vancouver Island ports, Jun/Jul 1974

(SH278) Ripple Rock, Seymour Narrows

(SH279) Tahsis, West Coast Vancouver Island

EX POTLACH, Aug-Sep 1974

(SH280) Jervis Bay

(SH281) Kodiak, Alaska

(SH282)  USS Mount Vernon LSD 39

(SH283) LCM and troops alongside HMCS PROVIDER

(SH284) Labrador Air Sea Rescue Helicopter landing on HMCS PROVIDER

EX RIMPAC 75 - R & R before sea phase, Mar 1975

(SH285) Honolulu

(SH286) Frank and Ralph

(SH287) a blow hole

(SH288) Steve and Frank

(SH289) Lookout from the Pali

EX RIMPAC 75 - R & R before sea phase, Mar 1975

(SH290) USS ARIZONA Memorial

(SH291) USS HANCOCK enroute to Vietnam, Mar 1975

EX RIMPAC 75 - Sea phase

(SH292) USS KITTY HAWK and USS PONCHUTLA

(SH293) HMAS MELBOURNE

(SH294) USS KIRK conducting RAS with HMCS PROVIDER

(SH295) HMCS KOOTENAY

(SH296) HMCS KOOTENAY personnel jackstay transfer - Tom Pleskivich

RIMPAC 75 - Sea phase

(SH297) USS ALBERTA DAVID

(SH298) USS BADGER

(SH299) USS KISKA

(SH300) USS REEVES

WESTPLOY 75

(SH301) Map of WESTPLOY Far East port visits

(SH302) Heavy jackstay - HMCS PROVIDER

(SH303) Light jackstay transfer of stretch patient from HMCS QU'APPELLE to HMCS PROVIDER

(SH304) HMCS QU'APPELLE, HMCS MACKENZIE and HMCS SASKATCHEWAN receive "Moon Shot" during their sail past prior to their departure to Japan

(SH305) Capt Shaw's 50th Birthday - receiving his new bridge chair as a birthday gift from the Chief's and PO's Mess.

WESTPLOY 75

(SH306) ROK Gunboat, Apr 1975

(SH307) Ship open to visitors, Pusan, Korea

(SH308) Old temple being restored

(SH309) Steve Hlasny in front of temple

(SH310) Steve and Frank

WESTPLOY 75

(SH311-SH314) Information booklet on the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea

WESTPLOY 75

(SH315-SH319) HMCS PROVIDER conducts a Service of Remembrance for Canadian War Dead at the UN Cemetery, Pusan, Korea

(SH318) Guard officer, Lt(N) Guy

WESTPLOY 75

(SH320-SH322) HMCS PROVIDER conducts a Service of Remembrance for Canadian War Dead at the UN Cemetery, Pusan, Korea

(SH320) Frank and Steve

WESTPLOY 75

(SH323)  500 Won, Korean currency

(SG324) Yokosuka, Japan, Apr 1975 - photo taken from PROVIDER as she enters port

WESTPLOY 75

No-Day at sea

(SH325) Frank (standing), Steve Hlasny to Frank's right

(SH326) Steve, centre,  moonlighting as a cook during the No-Day

(SH327) CO Capt. Colin Shaw to the left of Miss PROVIDER and to the right is the XO Cdr Moore

(SH328) Volleyball cheerleaders - Lou, Max, Lt(N) Mike Cooper, CPO2 Bash Callaghan, unk

(SH329) A No-Day At the horse races

WESTPLOY 75

No-Day at sea

(SH330) Steve Hlasny - jockey

(SH331) Ralph Torris - jockey

WESTPLOY 75

(SH332) 503 in holding position on HMCS PROVIDER'S flight deck

(SH333) Preparing for a light jackstay

(SH334) Heavy jackstay set-up on HMCS PROVIDER

(SH335 & SH3 36) HMCS PROVIDER conducting a heavy jackstay

(SH337) HMCS PROVIDER fueling an USN supply ship during Ex Valiant Heritage off San Diego, Mar 1976

From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2LT

HMCS PROVIDER Engineering Drawings

(PM01) Auxiliary Desuperheated  (PM02) L.P. Steam range  (PM03) Main Steam

Courtesy of Pat Meloy