The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship HMCS Max Bernays returned to its home port in Esquimalt, British Columbia, in December 2025, just before Christmas, after a round-the-world voyage marked by a historic milestone. The Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) reached the highest latitude for an RCN ship — 81 degrees 12.044 minutes north — in the Arctic Ocean, north of Alaska. The four-month deployment also saw the HMCS Max Bernays participate in exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
“From achieving a historic milestone in the Arctic to contributing to security and stability across the Indo-Pacific, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Max Bernays has shown exceptional versatility and professionalism … they strengthened Canada’s partnerships and reinforced our commitment to the Indo-Pacific Strategy. We proudly welcome the ship’s company home to Esquimalt,” said Rear Adm. David Patchell, the RCN’s commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific.
The Max Bernays began its mission in August with Operation Latitude in the Northern Pacific and Bering and Chukchi seas, increasing its domain awareness in the Western Arctic and improving interoperability with the United States military. On August 29, the ship reached a latitude of 81 degrees north, the northernmost point ever reached by an RCN vessel, according to a Canadian Department of National Defence news release. “The significance of this milestone lies not only in the latitude reached, but in what it proves about the RCN’s modern Arctic toolkit. The Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) were built to operate in harsh northern conditions,” the release stated.
The Max Bernays crew, listed between 75 and 85, faced challenges: Midnight sun, drifting sea ice and severe cold made Arctic training difficult and kept ship engineers working nonstop to keep water and heating systems operable, the release stated.
After its Arctic achievement, the Max Bernays sailed to the North Pacific, where it participated in Operation Neon, a multinational effort to enforce sanctions on North Korea. The ship patrolled alongside allies and partners including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. “Through its contributions to Operation Neon, HMCS Max Bernays helped deter sanctions evasion and illustrated Canada’s commitment to upholding international law,” the release said.
The ship had one last mission to complete, participating in multinational engagements as part of Operation Horizon, Canada’s long-standing mission to support international law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, the release stated.
“Reaching the highest latitude ever attained by a Royal Canadian Navy ship during Operation Latitude, making meaningful contributions to Operation NEON, as well as engagements throughout the Indo-Pacific while supporting Operation HORIZON, demonstrated the capability, adaptability, and dedication of our sailors. None of this would have been possible without the steadfast support of our families and friends back home,” said RCN Cmdr. Nadia Shields, the commanding officer of the Max Bernays.