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HMCS MAX BERNAYS 432
Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel
HMCS MAX BERNAYS, the third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) is named after Chief Petty Officer Max Bernays, a Canadian naval hero who served as the Coxswain of HMCS Assiniboine during the Second World War’s Battle of the Atlantic.
"On August 6, 1942, during intense surface gun action against the German submarine U-210, HMCS Assiniboine maneuvered in and out of a fog attempting to ram and sink the enemy submarine. Both vessels were firing high explosive shells at very close range, resulting in a fire that engulfed the bridge and wheelhouse of Assiniboine. Surrounded by smoke and flames while steering the ship, CPO Bernays ordered two junior sailors to get clear, leaving him alone at the helm and trapped by the blaze. Besieged by flames, he executed all the helm orders as Assiniboine maneuvered for position against the U-boat, and did the work of the two telegraphmen, dispatching over 130 telegraph orders to the engine room. Several bullets and shells penetrated the wheelhouse as the enemy concentrated their machine-gun and cannon fire on the bridge. Eventually Assiniboine rammed and sank U-210 in what was considered to be an extremely hard-fought action, during which the Canadians suffered one fatality and 13 wounded. CPO Bernays was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal by the British Admiralty for his valour and dauntless devotion to duty during action. He was one of only two members of the RCN to receive the CGM during the Second World War."
On 11 Mar 2024, HMCS MAX BERNAYS departed Halifax for a voyage to the west coast and her new home port of Esquimalt, BC.
18 Jun 2024 HMCS MAX BERNAYS departed from CFB Esquimalt to join HMCS VANCOUVER and MV ASTERIX in Pearl Harbor for Exercise RIMPAC. MAX BERNAYS will be the first of its class participating in the biennial multinational naval exercise, joining approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in and around the Hawaii Islands. On 12 Jul 2024, MAX BERNAYS returned to Pearl Harbor due to mechanical issues that resulted in seawater flooding one area of the ship.
HMCS MAX BERNAYS took part in Exercise TRIDENT FURY 2025 16-29 Jun 2025
Photos and Documents
(BG01) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax, with her center and stern mega blocks positioned for joining together - 25 Feb 2021. The forward mega block is under construction. (BG02) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax, with her bow section mega block positioned for joining to the previously joined centre and stern blocks - 10 May 2021 (BG03) The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS at the Irving Shipyards, Halifax. The photo was taken 18 Oct 2021 - 5 days before she is to be floated up. Courtesy of Barry Gerrard
The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS is floated up in Bedford Basin - 23 Oct 2021 Source/Credit: Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax, NS
The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS fitting out alongside at Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax - 26 Oct 2021 Courtesy of Tom Goodyear
The future HMCS MAX BERNAYS heads to sea from Halifax on builder's trials 22 Jul 2022 Source: RCN facebook page
HMCS MAX BERNAYS was delivered to the RCN on 02 Sep 2022 DND / RCN photos
Article on the delivery of MAX BERNAYS to the RCN and the teething problems of HMCS HARRY DEWOLF The Halifax Chronicle-Herald 03 Sep 2022
HMCS MAX BERNAYS departs Halifax for Esquimalt for her new home port on the west coast - 11 Mar 2024 Source: RCN official facebook page
HMCS MAX BERNAYS transiting the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific, enroute to her now home port of Esquimalt - Apr 2024 Source: RCN official facebook page
HMCS MAX BERNAYS returned to Pearl Harbour due to mechanical issues that resulted in flooding in one area of the ship // The Saltwire Network 24 Jul 2024 Courtesy of Bill Gard
A Cormorant EH 101 lands on HMCS MAX BERNAYS during Day 1 of Exercise TRIDENT FURY 2025 - 16 Jun 2025 Photographer: Dave Murzur Source: Royal Canadian Navy Today and Yesterday facebook post
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