Anticosti class minesweeper
Encyclopedia
The Anticosti class minesweepers were a class of minesweepers
that served with the Canadian Forces
from 1989–2000.
The class consisted of two former oil rig
supply vessels, the Jean Tide and the Joyce Tide. They were acquired by Maritime Command
(MARCOM) and commissioned in May of 1989 with the Jean Tide becoming and the Joyce Tide becoming .
Prior to conversion to mine-sweeping training ships, HMCS Anticosti and HMCS Moresby deployed on initial ships' training exercises on the east coast of North America. Later, Anticosti played "orange force" to the USCG's "blue force" in and around the waters of the states of New York
and New Jersey
, USA. Anticosti also carried the flag on deployments to the west as far as Kingston, Ontario
, to the east of St. John's, Newfoundland, and to Freeport, Bermuda
in the south.
After conversion, the Anticosti class was used for minesweeping training in preparation for the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project
, what would later become the Kingston class
of patrol vessels in the late 1990s.
When the Kingston class entered service, the Anticosti class had minesweeping equipment and armaments removed. Other modifications included the fitting of astern refuelling gear to Anticosti in 1995. Anticosti was also used in the East Coast MARCOT exercise as a minelayer
on at least one occasion. Both ships had been decommissioned by 2000.
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
that served with the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
from 1989–2000.
The class consisted of two former oil rig
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
supply vessels, the Jean Tide and the Joyce Tide. They were acquired by Maritime Command
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
(MARCOM) and commissioned in May of 1989 with the Jean Tide becoming and the Joyce Tide becoming .
Prior to conversion to mine-sweeping training ships, HMCS Anticosti and HMCS Moresby deployed on initial ships' training exercises on the east coast of North America. Later, Anticosti played "orange force" to the USCG's "blue force" in and around the waters of the states of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, USA. Anticosti also carried the flag on deployments to the west as far as Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, to the east of St. John's, Newfoundland, and to Freeport, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in the south.
After conversion, the Anticosti class was used for minesweeping training in preparation for the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project
Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project
The Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project was a procurement project undertaken by the Department of National Defence beginning in the mid-1980s to find a replacement for the , and minesweepers....
, what would later become the Kingston class
Kingston class patrol vessel
The Kingston-class consists of 12 coastal defence vessels operated by the Royal Canadian Navy.The class is the name for the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project...
of patrol vessels in the late 1990s.
When the Kingston class entered service, the Anticosti class had minesweeping equipment and armaments removed. Other modifications included the fitting of astern refuelling gear to Anticosti in 1995. Anticosti was also used in the East Coast MARCOT exercise as a minelayer
Minelayer
Minelaying is the act of deploying explosive mines. Historically this has been carried out by ships, submarines and aircraft. Additionally, since World War I the term minelayer refers specifically to a naval ship used for deploying naval mines...
on at least one occasion. Both ships had been decommissioned by 2000.