NAC News – Edition 634 HMCS Cartier
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of September 12, 2025
Edition 634 HMCS Cartier (Editor – see pic of beautiful crown-of-sails hockey sweaters!) Quote: “The PRC’s maritime insurgency is not limited to the South China Sea. It is a global phenomenon. This maritime insurgency is not fought with gunfire but with corruption, development loans and aid, and the PRC’s deep-water fishing fleet. More than 17,000 vessels fishing throughout the world routinely engage in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), often acting as a civilian vanguard for PRC state objectives. The situation is particularly acute in the South Pacific, where Chinese fishing fleets exploit the limited enforcement capacity of Pacific Island Countries (PICs), deplete sovereign marine resources, and undermine local economies, eroding governance, and sovereignty in the process.” Countering the People’s Republic of China’s maritime insurgency in the South Pacific, Jason Lancaster, CIMSEC, 9 September 2025
Rod Hughes: Editor NAC News rhughes@shaw.ca (Comments welcome to help improve this service.) The content of this bulletin includes articles from entities not subject to the Official Languages Act. Consequently, these articles may be provided by the institution in only one official language, including the links, and we do not have the copyright to modify or translate them. Links to keep in touch with the NAC and RCN can be found at the bottom of this email. Contact naccoordinator@navalassoc.ca if you wish someone to be added to the NAC News email distribution. (Influencer, or good candidates to become a NAC member – note, the first year’s NAC/Branch membership dues are waived)
NOTICES
Two events. Pirate of the Adriatic Book Launch, Author Sean Livingston (NAC Serving CAF Member).
17 Sept 2025 HMCS Carleton, Ottawa. The mess bar should be open for refreshments, RSVP to: Christopher.Walkinshaw@forces.gc.ca Business Dress
18 Sept 2025 12:00 – 13:30 (local) Rideau Club, Lunch is $76.00 (Club Members $66.00) RSVP to: reservations@rideauclub.ca Business Casual. Copies of the book will be sold at both events by Perfect Books Ottawa ($30.00 each) If you can’t make either of these days you can always shop on line!
26–27 September 2025 The Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN) will host a conference on the future Canadian Seapower 2025. Venue – University of Calgary. Today, Canada faces a more complex and dangerous security landscape than at any time since the Second World War. The country is at an inflection point, facing two great power competitors, a complicated ecosystem of malign non-state actors, persistent pressures eroding the rules based international order, and an uncertain partnership with the U.S. To register.
29 September 2025 HMCS Whitehorse, Saskatoon, and Brandon will be paid off at B Jetty, HMC Dockyard Esquimalt. A reception will follow at the wardroom. RSVP to MARPACevents@forces.gc.ca Dress Military 1A(Medals)/Civilian Business attire. Guests are asked to park at the Canteen Rd parking lot. A shuttle bus will begin transporting guests to the ceremony starting at 1000.
3 October 2025 HMC Ships Kingston, Glace Bay, Goose Bay, Shawinigan, and Summerside will be paid off at Jetty NB, HMC Dockyard Halifax. A reception will be held at HMCS Scotian. Registration is required at: MARLANTSOVP@FORCES.GC.CA
Dress Military 1A(Medals)/Civilian Business attire. 1300 Entry through HMCS Scotian for pre-ceremony tea/coffee, with guests to proceed to NB Jetty to be seated by 1345. Guests are asked to park in the Dockyard parking lot Zone located at the southern end of the lot accessible via the Barrington St Roundabout.
NEW 15 October 2025 (8:00 – 2:15 Halifax time) Chief Heads of Navy – Alliances and Partnerships in Shifting Geopolitical Landscapes, to be held at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Loyola Academic Complex 290. The Canadian Maritime Security Network is pleased to partner with the RCN to welcome the Chief of Heads of Navy of Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and Pakistan to Saint Mary’s University for a public event. VAdm Angus Topshee will provide a Keynote followed by two panels of the Chiefs of Heads of Navy. This event will focus on the challenges posed by rapidly shifting geopolitics and the growing importance of strengthening global partnerships. For more information email: rdean@stfx.ca
21–22 October 2025 ABCMI’s Business Opportunities Conference & Trade Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, this flagship event brings together leading companies from across Canada in the marine and defence sectors. See the website for our draft Programme and list of Exhibitors. Tickets are selling quickly; exhibit spaces are sold out.
4 November 2025 7.30 – 18.30 Ottawa time Deep Blue Forum 6th Annual Conference. Theme: The Future of the Submarine Enterprise – People Harnessing Technology, in a System of Systems. The National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa Today is the last day that the Super Early Bird Registration is Open! Contact The ticket discount code for NAC members is DB25_NAC Keynote Speaker, Paula Folkes – Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence and Marine Procurement
24 February 2026 ShipTech Forum 2026, The National Arts Centre, Ottawa. 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1 (Editor – NAC helps sponsor this event)
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
Poland says it found 14 Russian drones on its territory. Just how will NATO respond? and another CBC Is Russia provoking Poland into war? | About That (Editor – 7:39 min video) then Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty. What does that mean?
Commercial Freighter Runs Aground in Arctic En Route From China with Photo Shows Dutch Cargo Vessel Aground in the Canadian Arctic as Salvage Effort Looms
CANADA
Canadian Coast Guard celebrates the completion of the 10th and final Bay Class search and rescue vessel, the CCGS Mira Bay & La Garde côtière canadienne célèbre l’achèvement de la construction du dixième et dernier navire de recherche et sauvetage de la classe Baie, le NGCC Mira Bay
Canadian Coast Guard begins new chapter of marine training excellence as it celebrates the institution’s 60th Anniversary & La Garde côtière canadienne entame un nouveau chapitre d’excellence en matière de formation maritime à l’occasion du 60e anniversaire de l’institution
HMCS Sackville – Re-commissioning (Editor – An overused superlative, but this is awesome! The CNMT has received final approval from RAdm Kurtz to move forward with a Re-Commissioning ceremony for the ship. The Ceremony will take place 15 May 2026. CNMT will forward additional information over the next several months. CNMT is looking for Trustees who would like to be part of the ship’s crew for the ceremony. Would be great to have you attend as crew or a spectator. If you are a Trustee and would like to be a member of the ship’s crew for this significant event, please reach out to the First Lieutenant at rpowell044@gmail.com
Kongsberg to supply propulsion systems for Canada’s River-class destroyers (Editor –progress!)
Canada’s navy hunts ghost ships in Arctic training exercise (Editor – CBC 2:31 min news video)
Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Visits Hanwha Ocean Shipyard plus Industry Updates: Deputy Minister of Defence Visits Hanwha Ocean (Editor – Esprit de Corps 2:17 min video)
Hanwha Ocean and Babcock Canada Sign Teaming Agreement for CPSP
CDAI: What challenges and opportunities will the River-Class Destroyer pose for Canada’s naval strategy? (Editor – 34:27 min podcast with NAC Naval Affairs Director, Tim Addison discussing the Fraser Class Destroyer’s intended role in international deployments amongst many other things)
Canadian Public Opinion on Arctic Issues: Competition and Pessimism Ahead
HMCS Fredericton to get corrosion fix for parts of hull
Handgun widely used by Canadian military at centre of RCMP misfiring investigation
BAE Systems and Cellula Robotics signs 10-year exclusive agreement to work on Herne
Proposed fast-track projects feature Alberta-BC pipeline and Vancouver port dredging
DP World Secures Montreal Expansion With 40-Year Terminal Deal
Fermeuse Energy unveils $15b LNG project in Newfoundland
Sharp decline in Canadians travelling to U.S. reflected in Victoria-Port Angeles ferry passengers
CAF Seeking Serving Members for National Veterans Week Speaker Program
REPEAT for emphasis. Remembrance Day is approaching. Historica Canada: The Memory Project (Editor – The Memory Project is a volunteer speakers bureau that arranges for veterans and Canadian Forces members to share their stories of military service at school and community events across the country. They are looking for speakers and have reached more than 3 million Canadians of all ages since 2001. Share your experiences, connect with them, and help them spread the word.)
Lookout: 8 September 2025, Volume 70. Issue 18 (English) & (Française)
Trident: 8 September 2025 Volume 59, Issue 17 (Bilingue)
NAC Naval Affairs: Admirals’ Medal nominations (Editor – NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more. Please share with anyone you think may benefit from the knowledge, after all, that’s what our naval affairs programme is all about – enlightening Canadians)
USA & AMERICA
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 8, 2025
Davie Unveils $1B ‘American Icebreaker Factory’ in Texas to Build Arctic Security Cutters
U.S. secretary of state asked if drug boats from allied countries could ever face ‘unilateral execution’ with Venezuela Deploys Iranian Missile Boats to Fend Off U.S. Navy with this observation A killing at sea marks America’s descent into lawless power
Newest U.S. Icebreaker ‘Storis’ Conducts Extensive Patrol Along Russian Maritime Boundary in Arctic (Editor – HMCS Regina mentioned)
Keep Coast Guard Production Lines Open to Grow the National Fleet (Editor – 31:06 min podcast) then Coast Guard Awards $507 Million Contract for 10 Additional Fast Response Cutters at Bollinger
Coast Guard Caribbean Anti-Trafficking Missions Continue as Military’s Role is Redefined with WATCH: Coast Guard Destroys Drug Vessel, Seizes 13,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Weekend Raids (Editor – 47 sec video included)
The US Next Giant Super Aircraft Carrier Will Finally Be Deployed (Editor – 8:36 min video)
US Coast Guard picks SH Defence’s Cube system for its icebreaker (Editor – The Cube System is amazing)
CIMSEC: It is Time for Naval Mines to Enter the Missile Age
Meet a first-of-its-kind unmanned ship – The No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program (Editor – recent departure from the US side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca)
Brazil’s nuclear submarine program advances with new contract for Naval Group
Container Shipping Profits Plummet to $4.4 Billion in Q2 as US Tariffs Threaten Further Declines
Salvage Efforts Underway After Container Spill at Port of Long Beachwatch this Video: Containers Fall from Ship into Long Beach Harbor (Editor – 2:58 local news video)
This Seaweed Was a Caribbean Disaster, Now It’s Gold (Editor : 13:06 min video)
INDO-PACIFIC
China Criticizes Australia, Canada Warships in Taiwan Strait with US Ally Warships Cross Taiwan Strait and China Is Furious (Editor – 1:00 min video)
CIMSEC: Countering the People’s Republic of China’s maritime insurgency in the South Pacific
Chinese expert plays down Japanese hype of aircraft carrier Fujian’s voyage 200km away from China’s Diaoyu Dao then China’s newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait for the first time
China to establish nature reserve in disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea
Cable patrols stepped up amid new ‘gray zone’ threat
Equipping the Royal Australian Navy with next generation autonomous undersea vehicles and Anduril Ghost Shark Becomes A$1.7BN Australian Defence Program Of Record a big vessel Sharks for filling the moat: what Anduril’s autonomous submarines can do for Australia
Blurry legal status of uncrewed vessels
Formations at sea, partnerships ashore: CSG25 sails with South Korean Navy
India eyes nuclear-powered carrier, home-built navy jets in 15-year defence plan
India targets 200-plus Warships, Submarines by 2035 to counter Pak-China naval threats
Singapore Orders Four P-8A Poseidons to Strengthen Maritime, Anti-Submarine Capabilities
IMO-Led Initiative Boosts Naval Cooperation in Western Indian Ocean
INDOPACOM to Evaluate MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drone
Sea Base USS Miguel Keith Hosts Air, Ground Combat Marines Deployed to Australia
Ninth Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat delivered
China Unveils Large Shipboard Laser System for “Maritime Attack”
Second Known Tanker Carrying Sanctioned Russian Arctic LNG Berths In China
India’s largest container terminal inaugurated
Subic Bay Shipyard Re-Opens after U.S., South Korean Investments
Nuclear-Powered LNG Carrier Design Receives Landmark Certification
EUROPE
Black Sea:
Rosenberg: What’s behind Putin’s uncompromising stance on Ukraine?
Ukraine Just Took Another Russian Ship OFF THE MAP (Editor – no corroboration)
BRUTAL Reason Why Russia Can’t Use TANKS Anymore (Editor – 15:03 min land warfare video, but why is Russian armour having to operate without air cover…where is the vaunted air force?)
Baltic:
WB Group Rolls Out Sea Drone That Can Fire Loitering Munitions
General:
Ford Carrier Strike Group Operates in the High North with NATO Allies
U.S. Air Force and Norwegian Allies Test QUICKSINK Anti-Ship Weapon in Norwegian Sea
French DGA orders SYDERAL high-power laser demonstrator for anti-drone warfare
Future Danish Arctic Patrol Vessel (Editor : 6:52 min video)
Inside Janet Harvey Hall – Glasgow’s cutting-edge shipbuilding facility | BAE Systems (Editor – impressive capability in a 10:53 min video)
Russia commissions new armed icebreaker Ivan Papanin to expand control over Arctic routes and Russia Deploys Icebreaker With Kalibr Cruise Missile Capability, Blurring Civilian-Military Lines
Huge drugs bust reveals battles on cocaine ‘superhighway’
Five dead as migrant boat collides with Turkish coast guard vessel
Babcock, Fincantieri, Saab seek Poland ties as ‘Orca’ sub award nears
Spain Bars Israel-Bound Arms Ships from Its Ports
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
Israel Kills 35 in Yemen as Fire Exchange With Houthis Continues
OFAC Unveils Largest Sanctions Action Against Houthi Maritime Network
General:
IDF Navy holds drill on defending maritime border, days before Gaza flotilla due
Israel’s Skana Unveils Naval Robotic Duo for Surface and Underwater Ops
GLOBAL INTERESTS
G20 Summit puts paid to Exercise Mosi III this year
SCUTTLEBUTT
Why Is English Awash in Sailors’ Jargon? | Otherwords (Editor – 8:44 min video)
(Full Episode) War at Sea | Episode 1: The Dreadnoughts of Scapa Flow | BBC Select (Editor – BBC 51:13 min video documentary)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
13 September 1759 General Wolf’s forces conducted an amphibious assault and stormed the cliffs of Quebec City and defeated the French. This battle marked the beginning of the end of France’s rule in North America.
13/14 September 1942 500 km east of Newfoundland, U-Boat U-91 torpedoes and sinks RCN River Class destroyer HMCS Ottawa (A/LCdr Clark Anderson Rutherford, RCN) in the North Atlantic, while escorting convoy ON-127; hit by two torpedoes, she blows up and sinks immediately; 113 of her ship’s company were lost including the CO, LCdr C.A. Rutherford, who had given his own life belt to a rating, plus 6 RN seaman and 22 merchant seamen. There were only 69 survivors.
15 September 1940 Single men aged between 21 and 24 are called up for WWII.
16 September 1910 The cruiser HMCS Niobe formerly of the Royal Navy becomes the second warship to join the Canadian Navy arriving at Halifax in October.
16 September 1939 The first convoy of the war, designated HX-1, leaves Halifax for the United Kingdom. Eighteen merchant ships are escorted by HMCS Saguenay and HMCS St. Laurent to a North Atlantic rendezvous with Royal Navy cruisers Berwick and York. Subsequent convoys included all ships bound for the United Kingdom whose speed was between nine and fifteen knots, and unarmed vessels of over fifteen knots. Other vessels, including all ships sailing to destinations outside Britain, were able to proceed independently for some months after the beginning of the war. Soon, two convoys a week were sailing from Halifax. By the end of 1939, some 410 ships in 14 HX convoys had crossed the Atlantic. Escort work would remain the RCN’s chief responsibility for the duration of the war.
16 September 1942 The first of sixteen RCN corvettes sails for the Mediterranean Sea to take part in the North African landings (Operation Torch).
17 September 1904 Captain Joseph Bernier departs from Québec on the Canadian Government Steamship Arctic; given the command because of his interest in the Polar regions (he had devised a plan to reach the North Pole via the Bering Strait); will make 12 expeditions into polar seas in the next 20 years; he will spend the winter in Hudson Bay collecting Canadian customs duties from whalers and traders.
18 September 1943 Commander (later Captain) Adelaide Sinclair became the first Canadian director of the WRCNS, an appointment she held until the service was disbanded. Formerly a lecturer in political science at the University of Toronto, Sinclair went on after the war to prominent positions in public service. From 1957 until retirement in 1967 she was deputy executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
19 September 1941 German U-74 torpedoed and sank the Flower Class corvette HMCS Lévis 200 km off Cape Farewell, Greenland; 18 lives were lost. She was the first corvette sunk in Second World War.
19 September 1943 A Liberator flown by Flight Lieutenant R.F. Fisher, M.I.D., and crew from RCAF Squadron 10 sank U-341 in the North Atlantic. Fisher from Armstrong BC was subsequently killed during a Liberator crash.
19 September 1969 During the reorganized of the Canadian Armed Forces a 50% cut in NATO Canadian manpower was made, and the retirement of RCN’s only aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure was directed. Unification and the loss of HMCS Bonaventure was the one two punch that caused the demise of naval aviation. This step was counterintuitive given that aviation is arguably the most significant enabling element of any modern military. To this day Canada remains the only major nation without a dedicated naval air force, and the only G7 nation without some sort of amazingly versatile large aviation ship.
SIGNIFICANT RCN DATES – If you see any omissions or errors please inform me, and any more modern significant dates are also welcomed. The list draws primarily from the Directory of History and Heritage’s comprehensive “Significant Dates in Canadian Military History”, the now defunct “Canada Channel”, “Legion Magazine”, The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History Vol 1-3, NAC member Roger Litwiller’s excellent web site, encyclopedic guidance from NAC member Fraser McKee, the Uboat.net site, and anywhere else I can find credible information. For the merchant ship history, a special thanks to NAC member Bill Dziadyk for his able assistance and detailed work. The RCN lost 1,965 men and 24 ships during the War, most of them in the Atlantic. A comprehensive list of the staggering merchant losses – sunk, damaged, or lost – Canadian Merchant Ship Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1945 by Rob Fisher {Revised June 2001}, and for the loss of individual personnel RCN Ship Histories, Convoy Escort Movements, Casualty Lists 1939-1947)
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