Vanguard Magazine

16 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 www.vanguardcanada.com interview Coast Guard; supporting Department of National Defence (DND) activities and exercises or HA/DR in domestic crises. The HA/DR capabilities of the class can easily be extended internationally dur- ing crises such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. AOPVs can also participate in Operation CARIBBE/Operation MAR- TILLO in cooperation with international navies and the U.S. Coast Guard to con- tribute to drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Largely, I believe that AOPVs will continually be employed to monitor and facilitate con- trol of maritime activities within Canada's EEZ, no matter their task. They will con- tinually contribute to maritime domain awareness by constantly building the rec- ognized maritime picture. In addition to this, the multitude of in- ternal assets built into or integrated with Harry DeWolf-Class vessels makes them ideal platforms to conduct Search and Res- cue (SAR) operations. Modernized optics, communications, boats and a helicopter will allow for an improved capability to reach out to vessels in distress. The class' improved C2, along with its medical and logistical capabilities, allow it to provide an excellent potential platform to support a SAR incident on-scene commander. Q Please describe some of the benefits Canadians will derive from the AOPVs? In addition to increasing the RCN's SAR capabilities that are inherent in an increased coastal and arctic presence, the AOPVs and their construction have played a large role in Canada's economy. The longevity of this project, in combi- nation with the future Canadian Surface Combatant project, will help eliminate the cycle of "boom and bust" in Canada's shipbuilding industry. As had already been reported in the media, from the mid-1990s until 2010, Canada's shipbuilding industry had slowed significantly. There had not been any substantial new orders to construct vessels for many years. Compared to other countries, Canada's shipyards were outdated and did not have easy access to equipment, supply lines and skilled workers. With the creation of the AOPV project, skilled workers who are able to remain in one location for a whole 20 or 30-year career were attracted to the Mari- times with the possibility of advancement in the industry. With these new opportu- nities came an improvement to the eco- nomic stability of countless Canadians. This project also directly contributes to Canada's defence policy Strong Se- cure Engaged. These ships allow us to be strong at home while patrolling our arctic waters, secure in North America by con- tributing to regional security through hu- manitarian assistance and drug interdic- It is an exciting time in the realm of AOPVs, and that excitement is echoed through the interest in our program by arctic member states. CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. Photo: Jacek Szymanski

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