Historic B-Jetty Opening Marks Milestone in Naval Infrastructure Enhancements

By Lookout on Feb 11, 2025 with Comments 0

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee welcomes guests to the B-Jetty Opening Ceremony on Feb. 5.

Jazmin Holdway with contributions by Leah Pokocky and S1 Robin Kruger
Lookout Newspaper

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In a significant moment for Canada’s Pacific Naval Fleet, the new B-Jetty at HMC Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt was officially opened on Feb. 5, ushering in a new era of capability for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, MP, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, as well as Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN.

The opening ceremony featured a ceremonial welcome with the National Anthem performed by the Naden Band. Mr. Paul Schauerte, Acting Director General of Infrastructure and Environment, and VAdm Topshee both delivered addresses acknowledging the immense scale of the project and its positive impact on the Navy’s operations and environmental sustainability. Remarks were kept short in consideration for the freezing temperatures of the morning.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, MP, addresses the gathering.

“You don’t just see a ship, you see a massive capability,” said Minister Sajjan while pointing to HMCS Max Bernays, docked alongside the opening ceremony. He discussed the work being done at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and the overall capabilities of the RCN, its personnel and supporting infrastructure.

The B-Jetty, which replaces the original A- and B-Jetties built during the Second World War, was designed to withstand the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters, such as tsunamis. Construction on the project began in December 2019, with the achieved initial operational capability date set for November 2024. The 270-meter long and 26-meter-wide marine structure is built on pipe piles as long as 100 meters, anchored securely into underlying bedrock, and reinforced with heavy-duty concrete beams and decking.

One of the key highlights of the project is its resilience to climate change, seismic risks, and the environmental considerations in its construction. VAdm Topshee emphasized that the creation of B-Jetty was done with careful attention to the surrounding ecosystem, particularly marine wildlife, and done in consultation with local First Nations to protect culturally significant areas.

A considerable effort was made to mitigate the effects of blasting rock, which was enough to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools.

In keeping with the environmental responsibility associated with the project, the amount of concrete poured into the jetty could fill nine Olympic-sized swimming pools or cover 26 NFL football fields to a depth of six inches.

The project also provides vital infrastructure that will support all classes of RCN vessels, including visiting NATO ships, enhancing the versatility and operational capacity of Canada’s Pacific Fleet.

“I’m thrilled to see the reopening of CFB Esquimalt’s B-Jetty,” said VAdm Topshee. “This significant upgrade ensures that our sailors have a modern, sustainable, and resilient jetty from which to operate the future fleet in defence of Canadian waters and interests.”

The B-Jetty is not the end of infrastructure upgrades in HMC Dockyard. The construction of A-Jetty is already in the planning stages, and it will provide even more space for new ships and tugs to meet the growing needs of the RCN.