Kingston Class

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Class history

In the late 1980s, Canada's Navy recognized the need for an effective coastal defence platform that would complement Canada's balanced, combat-capable, general-purpose maritime forces. The decision to build 12 maritime coastal defence vessels (MCDV) has met this requirement. The first vessel in the KINGSTON Class, HMCS KINGSTON, was launched in August 1995. The other KINGSTON-Class vessels have since been delivered to the Navy with the last one, HMCS SUMMERSIDE, received in December 1998.

The MCDV project included the design, construction and outfitting of 12 MCDVs. Versatility is a key feature of these vessels. Each ship is able to accept and operate several different types of portable modules (payloads) for missions such as: bottom object inspections, minesweeping, and route survey. These payloads are complemented by specific team training and logistics support.

The primary role of the KINGSTON-Class vessels is coastal surveillance and patrol. This involves a wide variety of missions including: general naval operations and exercises; search and rescue; and support to other government departments for various activities such as law enforcement, resource protection, and pollution control.

Meeting the Challenge

Well-trained crews are essential to any ship. The MCDVs are primarily crewed by a maximum of 34 naval reservists and 2 Regular Force personnel. The size of the crew can be adjusted to meet operational requirements. Each crew member receives extensive occupational training, plus tailored training unique to MCDVs in one of the following: communication, navigation, engineering, mine countermeasures or route survey.

Leading Edge

Kingston-Class vessels are equipped with four state-of-the-art route survey equipment packages, equally distributed on the East and West Coasts. This technology allows high quality geo-coded sonar imagery of the sea bed, which is essential in both the development of route mapping, and the detection and classification of mine-like objects. The single-bottom-object-inspection payload provides the capability to inspect objects on the sea bed using video sensors mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. With the standardized modular payload capability, MCDVs can be fitted with other types of mission possibilities.

Maintaining the Balance

In keeping with Maritime Command's commitment to achieving a more equitable balance of naval assets between the East and West Coasts, six KINGSTON-Class vessels have been assigned to each coast. They are based in Halifax, N.S., and Esquimalt, B.C. During ice-free months (May–Nov), up to four East Coast vessels may deploy to the St. Lawrence basin.