HMCS Fredericton leaves Halifax for 6-month operation

HMCS Fredericton sailed out of the Halifax harbour onitsfourth deployment Saturdayfor a nearly six-month journey into North Atlantic and European waters.

The ship left just after 10 a.m. AT Saturday.

This is the vessel's first missionsince it returned to port nearly one year ago after a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six crew members.

The ship's commanding officer, Andrew Graham, gave a speech just before departure. He said the vessel has an entirely new crew, and that pulling that crew together in less than 12 months was a huge feat.

Graham also acknowledged the hardships of being on a shipfor long periods of time,saying the crew's mental health is extremely important. He wanted his crew to know there are people for them to talk to.

"Don't suffer through this alone," he said.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, family and friends weren't allowed to send off the crew in person. The departurewas instead streamed live on Facebook. The crew received many online messages wishing themsafe travels and fair seas.

A media statement from Maritime Forces Atlantic saidas part of Operation Reassurance, HMCS Fredericton willtake part in NATO exercisesto strengthen the Royal Canadian Navy's"ability to effectively conduct combined maritime operations with our allies."

HMCSHalifaxparticipated in the same mission. It returned to port in Halifax earlier this week, where two crew members tested positive for COVID-19.A third case aboard the ship was recordedFriday. All three are asymptomatic.

Five crew members from HMCS Halifax are now aboard HMCS Fredericton. Major Mark Gough, the senior public affairs officer forMaritime Forces Atlantic, said they each had threenegativeCOVID-19 tests, but are bubbled in their own section of HMCS Fredericton for now.

Once all tests from HMCS Halifax come back, they'll be allowed to mingle with the rest of their crew.

HMCS Fredericton is expected to return to the city by Christmas.