The Canadian Navy’s HMCS Chicoutimi commenced sea acceptance trials on September 28, 2014 near Esquimalt, B.C. The trials are expected to last seven to eight weeks and will test the Victoria-class submarine’s engineering systems and capabilities, as well as its crew, to ensure that all are performing within required parameters.
These trials are an important step as the submarine nears the end of its maintenance and refit period, a phase called the Extended Docking Work Period, or EDWP. Chicoutimi’s EDWP began in 2010 and was the first-ever to be conducted by the RCN’s industry partners. Chicoutimi is expected to return to the Canadian fleet later this year upon successful completion of this exhaustive test and trial program. When this milestone takes place, Canada will have three submarines at sea operating, with the fourth in deep maintenance.
The Victoria-class submarine fleet is an important strategic asset for Canada. This latest milestone for HMCS Chicoutimi comes as the Canadian Submarine Service celebrates its centenary. For 100 years, submarines – and submariners – have been the navy’s special forces.
Image: Canadian Navy [mappress mapid=”14080″]