Protecteur set to leave Esquimalt

In the final stages of its disposal process, the former HMCS Protecteur in Dockyard’s C Jetty, Feb. 3.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The former HMCS Protecteur is entering the final stages of the disposal process when it leaves Esquimalt Harbour in the next few weeks.

The disposal process, at large, involves removing all electronics, communications, weaponry and other equipment onboard the vessel in accordance with the Surplus Crown Assets Act and the Treasury Board Directive on Disposal of Surplus Material.

Plans are underway to have the ship leave in February to be towed to Nova Scotia for final disposal.  

The 171.9-metre long vessel is undergoing preparations in Dockyard’s C Jetty before it begins the 7,600 nautical mile journey down the Pacific coast, through the Panama Canal and then onwards to Atlantic Canada.

“These preparations also include removing large quantities of liquids, ensuring the platform stability is correct, handling security concerns and reviewing contractual remits,” said Lindsay Tessier, from ADM (PA).

Protecteur’s final destination is R.J. MacIsaac Construction Limited’s (RJMI) facilities in Port Mersey (Liverpool), Nova Scotia. RJMI won the $39-million scrapping contract for Protecteur and Algonquin.

Algonquin, an Iroquois-class destroyer, was paid off June 11, 2015, and is currently undergoing a similar disposal process with an expected departure date targeted for April 2016.