NAC News – Edition 659 HMCS Acadia
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of March 6, 2026
Edition 659 HMCS Acadia Quote: “Character isn’t forged in calm seas; it’s revealed in crisis—we know that. Even more so when everything falls apart, when your professional life ends abruptly, when your personal life is shattered, when you’re afraid. Enduring this storm was made possible because others stood beside me—shipmates, friends, family—who refused to walk away. I am better because I endured—because I came to understand the deeper strength that comes when character is tested. Under great strain, I chose dignity over anger, perseverance over bitterness, grace over grievance. And in the end, I chose resilience over defeat. Growth is a choice. The foundation of character—and leadership—is trust. Trust is fragile and must be earned—every day, in every challenge, through every trial—seen and unseen. My greatest hope remains, not only to be trusted, but to continue to live and lead in a trustworthy way.” CIMSEC: Enduring the Storm: Reflections on the U.S. Navy’s “Fat Leonard” Scandal, Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless, U.S. Navy (Ret.). 2 March 2026
Rod Hughes: Editor NAC News (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
NEW Editor – NAC regalia has been restocked with blazer badges at $30 and neckties at $50. Please email Nora at NACcoordinator@navalassoc.ca to request items and payment options. S+H is included and items will be mailed via Canada Post. Thank you for wearing NAC items with pride!
23 March 2026 Take the 2026–2027 Advocacy Survey The Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) looks toward the 2026–2027 period, their priority remains clear: to serve as a strong, unified voice that ensures members of the CAF have the resources, support, and capabilities they need to carry out the missions entrusted to them. To do this effectively, CDA (of which NAC is a member) needs to hear directly from you. The information gathered through this survey will be instrumental in developing our upcoming advocacy strategy. Your insights ensure that CDA’s efforts accurately reflect the needs and priorities of the entire defence community.
23 March 2026 NRAC AGM 7 pm Montreal time, hosted by HMCS Donnacona.
The guest speaker is Rear-Admiral Mike Hopper, the Chief of Reserves. The Admiral is also on the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.
NEW 23 March 2026 The Story of Canadian Corvettes 10:30-11:30 am Great Lakes Museum, 55 Ontario St., Kingston, ON. $6 per person (includes Museum Admission)
21 – 22 April 2026 ABCMI & COAST Defence and Security Innovation Forum, Vancouver Convention Centre.
29-30 April 2026 Naval Association of Canada Defence and Maritime Security Conference themed “Canada in Alliance: Maritime Security in a Changing World” & Battle of the Atlantic (BOA) Gala, the Halifax Hotel, Halifax. The symposium will be co-hosted by NAC and the Canadian Maritime Security Network. The symposium theme “Canada in Alliance & Conflict: The Will of a Nation.” A reception will be held the evening of 29 April ahead of the symposium. The evening of 30 April NS NAC will host the National BOA Gala at the same venue. Details to follow in due course but mark your calendars and hold that date!
12 -14 May 2026 Mari-Tech 2026 ABCMI Co-hosting with CIMaRE & SNAME Venue: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street’ Victoria, BC
13-15 May 2026 NIBC 2026 Conference – Maritime Arctic Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour hotel, Victoria BC. (Editor – NAC-VI helps financially sponsor this event)
15 May 2026 11:00 am at Sackville Landing. The CNMT has indicated that to mark the 85th anniversary of the launch of HMCS Sackville (English) & (Française) that she will be ceremonially re-commissioning back into the RCN. For CNMT members you are invited to participate as members of the Re-Commissioning Crew with me J)
25-27 June 2026 RCN Historical Conference – CFB Esquimalt, venue possibly HMCS Venture. Details TBP.
13-16 July, 2026, Monday-Tuesday, Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS) St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Register early and receive 20% off conference passes. Offer available until April 1, 2026
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLE
‘Russia is failing’: PM Carney announces new sanctions on Russia (Editor – 2:03 min video)
Farewell the Nedaja: The Extraordinary Ineptitude of the Iranian Navies (Editor – more details in the Middle East and Indian Ocean sections)
Canada could be called on to help defend Gulf states, says top military commander (Editor – see next article)
CANADA
Defence Chief General Jennie Carignan on the state of Canada’s military
Canada considers split purchase of 12 submarines between Germany and South Korea then Canada not looking to split submarine contract between Germans, Koreans: secretary of state
Lessons from Launching the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (Editor – Author by the always insightful NAC member Ian Mack)
Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies (ACDC) Launches
CDAI: 2026 Ottawa Conference Wrap-Up: The Road to 5 Percent
The First of Class firing trial of the MK54 Lightweight Torpedo! (Editor – RCN/MRC 1:09 min video) & Essai de tir de torpille légère MK54 du premier navire de la classe! and weapon details Mark 54 lightweight torpedo (Editor – During a NATO meeting I was made aware to this concept in 1993!)
Deadline day: $20B submarine showdown puts Korean and German bids in spotlight and Submarine companies make their final pitches to Canada as it rushes to choose a fleet and
German sub bid can do ‘a lot more’ to benefit Canada than South Korea’s: CEO | Power & Politics (Editor – 8:50 min CBC News video)
Everything You Need to Know About Submarines in Canada from the Navy’s Highest Ranking Submariner (Editor – first-rate interview of NAC member Rear-Admiral Chris Robinson when he was COMMARPAC in a 44:45 min video)
I absolutely LOVE this job! (Editor – 1:07 min RCN video) & J’ADORE littéralement ce travail! (Editor – Vidéo RCN de 1 min 07 s)
THREE generations of military service! (Editor – 0:43 sec RCN video) TROIS générations de service militaire!
Hero-Class Patrol Vessel (Editor – 2:25 min video) and Hero-class patrol vessel
U.S. could hold a ‘red card’ over Canada’s Gripen fighter jet option
Halifax hosts Persian Gulf 35 commemorations
CSS Asterix – Federal Fleet Services – Combat Support Ship (Editor – impressive summary and more in a 11:07 min video)
Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy — Minister of National Defence visits Seaspan Shipyards (Editor – inspirational 1:26 min video)
Sign up now to the Veteran Family Telemedicine Service & Service de télémédecine
Seeking Women Veterans for a study on mental health and support needs
Seaspan’s floating drydock to depart for planned upgrades in 2026
Here’s Why Canada Can’t Build Its Own Refineries, Even Though It Produces Millions of Tons of Oil (Editor – not a naval article but informative on an issue with maritime implications in a 17:33 min video)
NAC Naval Affairs: Bibliography Naval Strategy (Editor – NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more. Please share with people you think may benefit from the knowledge, after all, that’s what your naval affairs programme is all about; enlightening Canadians about maritime affairs and the need for the RCN.
USA & AMERICAS
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 2, 2026
USNS Robert Ballard set to be christened at Bollinger Shipyards (Editor – named after that Robert Ballard)
Austal USA launches final EPF – future USNS Lansing (EPF 16)
US and Ecuador forces launch operation to fight drug trafficking with Ecuadorean troops find 35m-long ‘narco-sub’ hidden in nature reserve
Russian Oil Tanker Diverts From Cuba as Trump Naval Blockade Deters Shipments
U.S. Moves to Permanently Seize Sanctioned Tanker ‘Skipper’ and $150M Oil Cargo
The US aircraft carriers you didn’t know about (Editor – 1:00 min video)
Life Inside World’s Largest $4.5 Billion Expeditionary Sea Base During Combat Operations (Editor – 14:14 min video)
USNS Comfort: The Mega-Tanker Converted Into An Aid Ship (Editor – 45:48 min video)
Corpus Christi becomes second-largest US LNG export project thanks to export expansion approval for perspective The $500 Million Question: Why US Ships Cost So Much (Editor – great explanation of the Jones Act and implications in a 10:00 min video)
INDO-PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean and adjoining seas:
North Korea to build two destroyers per year, equip Navy with nuke weapons — Kim Jong-un
A Single Company Dominates Almost All Global Shipbuilding (Editor – stunning 8:28 min video) and the logical corollary China’s navy will go beast mode by 2030 (Editor – 57 sec video)
CIMSEC: Mass Drones to Save Missiles: A High–Low Mix for the Pacific
China to launch first Type 095 nuclear submarine as US naval edge narrows in Pacific
US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East
How the US Marines Plan to Fight Inside China’s Missile Range (Editor – why Western Pacific islands matter in a 8:19 min video)Inside Palau’s Massive Military Buildup Against China (Edi9tor – 13:51 min video)
Austal delivers tenth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to Royal Australian Navy2026 Update: SSN-AUKUS Surges Ahead While Virginia Class Stalls (Editor – 16:05 min video)
Seventh narco sub discovered in the Pacific as Australia’s cocaine habit drives heavy traffic
Indian Ocean and adjoining seas:
Iranian Warship Sunk in Indian Ocean by US Navy submarine, Over 80 Dead and U.S. Submarine Strike on Iranian Warship Highlights Combat Performance of Mk-48 Torpedo plus VIDEO: U.S. Attack Boat Torpedoes Iranian Frigate off Sri Lanka (Editor – 20:1 sec video) eventually Sri Lanka Interns Iranian Naval Vessel Following Sub Attack, European States Increase Middle East Naval and Air Deployments
Indian Navy targets 200 plus ships by 2035: Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi
Dolphin Hunter: New Shallow-Water Submarine Slayer INS Anjadip Commissioned
This 15km Stretch is The World’s Largest Ship Graveyard (Editor – somebody must break up all the ships Japan, Korea, and now China produces)
EUROPE
Black and Caspian Seas:
Ukrainian Strike on Novorossiysk Also Damaged Russian Warships
Baltic Sea:
Editor – nothing to report
Mediterranean Sea:
NATO Shoots Down Iranian Missile Headed for Turkey
Italy, allies send warships to protect Europe’s southeastern edge from Iran strikes with:
Macron orders France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from Baltic Sea to Mediterranean and UK to send Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon to Cyprus and Greece Deploys FDI Frigate to Shield Cyprus Amid Iran Tensions and Netherlands redeploys HNLMS Evertsen air defense frigate to protect French carrier strike group and Spain Deploys Aegis Frigate to Cyprus to Strengthen European Missile Defense Against Iran (Editor – thank goodness for decades of interoperability under NATO)
Russia blames Ukrainian naval drones as tanker sinks in Mediterranean then Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ LNG Tankers Reroute After Blast Sinks ‘Arctic Metagaz’ in Mediterranean
Russian LNG Carrier ‘Arctic Metagaz’ Reportedly Ablaze Off Malta as Maritime Patrol Aircraft Circles
Routine work for the Royal Navy continues – Russian naval group shadowed in UK waters
One of the Narrowest Ship Passages on Earth (Editor – 1:17 min video)
General:
Britain wakes up to the condition of its Navy (Editor – sadly familiar situation. Emphasises the need for the NAC’s Naval Affairs programme to enlighten Canadians about the need for a relevant and well-resourced RCN) with No money, no maintenance, no crew: Why the UK has no ships in the Gulf and What has happened to the Royal Navy? (Editor – blunt assessment in a 9:51 min video)
Netherlands Selects French F21 Torpedo Instead of Mk48 for Orka Subs (Editor – wonder what torpedoes the new boats will have?)
Belgium Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Linked to Iran
Poland is Quietly Building Europe’s LARGEST Army – The Numbers Are Insane (Editor – not a maritime article but a momentous expansion 20:56 min video)
Navantia Proposes Long-Term Naval Partnership with Denmark
Gunnery V drones – HMS Duncan on exercise Sharpshooter (Editor – shortrange eye-candy in a 5:16 min video)
Gas price in Europe exceeded $650 after Putin’s remarks on ending EU supplies
EU, Ecuador Bust Drug Cartel Linked to European Port Infiltration
Putin’s new salvage vessel is named ‘Warboss’
MIDDLE EAST
General:
Pentagon Chief says US didn’t start the conflict with Iran and Hegseth Holds Press Conference, Shipping Lanes Key Reason For Iran Strikes and Rubio Says the Hardest Strike on Iran ‘Is Yet to Come’
CDAI: What is the endgame in Iran? (Editor – 27:38 min podcast)
Iranian Naval Forces are Major Target in Operation Epic Fury Strikes with Iranian Navy Under Attack in Operation Epic Fury with U.S. Forces Destroy 17 Iranian Warships and One Submarine in Operation Epic Fury Strikes
Iran claims USS Abraham Lincoln struck by drones in Sea of Oman and US strikes Iranian drone carrier, denies missile hit on USS Abraham LincolnIran’s Sunken Frigate: What it Means For the Conflict – IRIS Dena (Editor -12:49 min video) and follow on Iran’s Tiny Ghadir Submarines Can Hurt a Supercarrier — Under These Conditions (Editor – 13:07 min video)
Iran’s Catamaran Corvette Struck During Operation Epic Fury
U.S. Navy Positions Six Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers in Arabian Sea for Sustained Tomahawk Strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will support US air defense efforts against Iranian Shahed drone strikes in the Middle East (Editor – now this is ironic!)
Charting Iran’s complex regime: Who’s dead and who remains
Why Iran Never Dies (Editor – turbulent history explained in a 12:36 min video)
The First 36 Hours: Strait of Hormuz Becomes a War Zone, Tankers Hit, Shipping Giants Halt Gulf Transits and the real pain Gulf War Risk Insurance Pulled as Reinsurers ExitIran Fired Mach 5 Missiles at the US Navy — BIG MISTAKE (Editor – perceptive explanation is a 18:07 min video)
Tanker Spills Oil Off Kuwait, Takes On Water
At Least 150 Oil and Gas Tankers Drop Anchor in Gulf Waters After Strikes on Iran with Qatar LNG Shutdown Sends European Gas Prices Surging Over 50%
Multiple Tankers Under Attack in Gulf Waters as US-Iran Conflict Escalates then Trump: U.S. Navy May Escort Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz, More European Warships en Route to Med however Insurance and Naval Escorts May Not be Enough to Reboot Gulf Shipping also Seafarers Maintain the Right to Refuse to Sail Through Mideast Gulf Region resulting in Supertanker Costs Hit All-Time High as Iran Threatens Strait of Hormuz ClosureThe Strait of Hormuz Explained (Editor – dated but topical given the current operation against Iran in a 6:41 min video) and what it looks like during the attacks Is the Strait of Hormuz Open? | What Impact Will This Have on Shipping? | Hormuz Data | US Sealift (Editor – 26:55 min video)
How depleted weapons stockpiles could affect the Iran conflict
Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks and Attack On US Navy Fifth Fleet Headquarters In Bahrain with Iran says it has hit US base in Bahrain, as it launches strikes across region
Qatari naval ships successfully intercept Iranian drones
U.S.-Flagged Tanker Security Program Ship ‘Stena Imperative’ Hit in Bahrain, Shipyard Worker Killed and US Flagged Tanker Stena Imperative Hit in Bahrain | One Dead and Two Injured | Crew Evacuated (Editor – not just any tanker in a 16:50 min video)
Did Canadian exchange officers participate in U.S. Iran strike planning? DND says no, but questions linger (Editor – my opinion, counting exchange officers is a stretch)
UK will allow US to use bases to strike Iranian missile sites, PM says
Oil prices rise after ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz with Global oil prices expected to skyrocket after Iran attacks (Editor – 2:02 min video) and Iran confirms attack on oil tanker for ‘defying orders’ not to cross Strait of Hormuz
Over 270,000 TEU Stranded as Container Carriers Halt Gulf Cargo Bookings
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:
Houthis Signal Renewed Red Sea Shipping Attacks After U.S.–Israeli Strikes on Iran
European Nations Collaborate to Safeguard Red Sea Shipping, Protect Cyprus
Red Sea Comeback Falters as Maersk Diverts Ships Back Around Cape
GLOBAL INTERESTS
Why Only Three Companies Control Almost All Shipping Containers (Editor – 8:39 min video)
The Invisible Trade of The Ocean (Editor – another part of the puzzle 10:05 min video)
China’s CATL is building a trillion-dollar industry of electric ships (Editor – 6:58 min video)
Inside The Billion Dollar Business of Tracking Ships (Editor – AIS and implications explained 9:11 min video) open free Marine Traffic Site
The Shipping Cartel Controlling Every Ship’s Life (Editor – staggering stats in a explanation of “Classification Societies” in a 8:50 min video)
How A Single Company Owns Almost All Shipping Port Cranes (Editor – worthwhile 8:49 min video)
SCUTTLEBUTT
The Most Radical Submarine Prototype Germany Never Got to Release (Editor – 11:29 min video)
A Fascinating Look At The Restored HMS Warrior (Editor – 26:02 min video. Well worth a visit in Portsmouth)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
4 March 1943 HMC Ships Shediac commanded by Lt John E. Clayton, RCNR with St. Croix commanded by LCdr A. Hedley Dobson, DSC, RCNR sank the German submarine U-87 off the coast of Leixões in Portugal.
6 March 1944 HMC Ships St. Catharines commanded by LCDR Herbert C.R. Davis, RCNR, HMCS Chilliwack commanded by LCDR Clifton P. Coughlin, RCNVR, HMCS Gatineau commanded by LCdr Harold V.W. Groos, RCN, HMCS Fennel commanded by A/LCdr William P. Moffat, RCNVR, and HMCS Chaudière commanded by A/LCdr C. Patrick Nixon, RCN, assist RN warships in the sinking of the German submarine U-744 in the North Atlantic. Importantly U-744 was forced to surface after a 31-hour pursuit by British and Canadian ships. She was then boarded by Allied sailors, who retrieved code books and other documents. Most of this was lost while being transferred between the U-Boat and the Allied ships. After attempts to tow the submarine into port failed, U-744 was scuttled by the allied warships.
6 March 1945 The SS Green Hill Park was one of about 400 freighters built for the allied merchant navies by the Park Steamship Company which was owned by the Government of Canada. On the 6th of March 1945, the Green Hill Park exploded, and burst into flames, in Vancouver harbour while loading cargo at the Canadian Pacific Railway pier. The ship’s cargo included 85 or 95 tons of sodium chlorate, commonly used as a fertilizer. One of the fertilizers, under certain conditions, could be a powerful high explosive. Observers saw three explosions, and, initially, it was believed that portions of the ship’s cargo of sodium chlorate exploded. However, it could have been due to ignition of fumes from the barrels of overproof whiskey located in her holds. Her cargo also included six tons of flares. Six longshoremen, and two seamen, lost their lives. The ship was badly damaged but repaired. After the war, she sailed under the Panamanian flag as the SS Phaeax II and later as the SS Lagos Michigan until scrapped in 1967.
7 March 1945 HMC Ships La Hulloise commanded by LCdr John Brock, RCNVR, with HMCS Strathadam commanded by LCdr Howard L. Quinn, RCNVR, and HMCS Thetford Mines commanded by LCdr John A.R. Allan, DSO, RCNVR sank the German submarine U-1302 in St. George’s Channel (Irish Sea).
9 March 2001 RCN authorizes women to serve in submarines.
9 March 1945 HMCS Uganda arrives in Sydney, Australia, to join the British Pacific Fleet.
9 March 1965 Canadian Naval Auxiliary Vessel (later CFAV) Endeavour entered service. Endeavour was built at the Yarrows Yard in Victoria as an underwater research ship. She went on to provide valuable service until being disposed of in 2000.
10 March 1944 A Sunderland from RCAF Squadron 422 sank U-625 west of Ireland. The U-Boat’s crew abandons ship, but before leaving the enemy crew signals “Fine Bombish” to the Sunderland’s crew. The entire crew of 53 hands were on their 11th day of patrolling when they perished in the attack, but not before they struck back with fierce flak that damaged the port front hull of the Sunderland.
10 March 1944 HMC Ships St. Laurent commanded by LCdr George H. Stephen, OBE, DSC, RCNR with HMCS Owen Sound commanded by A/LCdr John M. Watson, RCNR and HMCS Swansea commanded by A/CDR Clarence A. King, D.S.O., D.S.C. & Bar, M.I.D. RCNR assisted RN warships sink the German submarine U-845 in the North Atlantic. Swansea picked up 23, Forester 17, and St. Laurent five survivors.
Significant RCN Dates – If you notice any omissions or errors please inform me. Pointing out any more modern significant dates is encouraged. 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. Recently “Guardians of the North” written by NAC members Rich Gimblett & Karl Gagnon. 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) Last and far from least Gary Weir’s For Prosperity’s Sake RCN historical project site.
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