The end of an era. MCDVs have been frequent visitors to STAR over the years since their introduction beginning in 1996, almost thirty years ago. The government’s decision in 2006 not to give them a mid-life refit doomed them, as they were to be replaced with more capable vessels by 2020, which, of course, have yet to arrive.

From: National Defence

News release

July 24, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

In the fall of 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) will begin paying off the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs).  

The term “paying off” refers to the British practice of paying a crew their wages once a ship has completed its voyage. In the RCN, the tradition continues with the term paying off referring to the formal ceremony where the naval jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant are hauled down, the crew departs a ship for the last time, and the ship is then no longer referred to as His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS).

This fall, eight of the twelve Kingston-class ships will be paid off during formal naval ceremonies to recognize and celebrate their long and distinguished service. These ceremonies will take place in Halifax for HMC Ships Shawinigan, Summerside, Goose Bay, Glace Bay and Kingston. Ceremonies in Esquimalt, B.C. will be held for HMC Ships Saskatoon, Whitehorse and Brandon.

The RCN’s four remaining operational Kingston-class vessels will consolidate under Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax, N.S. As such, HMCS Moncton will remain based in Halifax, HMC Ships Yellowknife and Edmonton recently transferred to the east coast, and HMCS Nanaimo will transit to Halifax later this year. This will support current operational commitments, and efficient maintenance and crewing of the remaining Kingston-class vessels and the broader RCN fleet.   

While looking forward to the introduction of new, modern warships to its fleet, the RCN has a robust plan in place to facilitate this transition, while maintaining excellence in training and operational capability. There is no loss of capability for the RCN as a result of the divestment of the Kingston-class – their missions and tasks will be redistributed to other existing ships and assets, and taken on by new platforms, capabilities and systems being introduced by the RCN.

Quotes

“Kingston-class vessels have provided the Royal Canadian Navy with a significant, impactful, and flexible capability throughout their many years of service. They have provided a training ground for many of our sailors, where key skills and roles have been learned. These ships have contributed important mine countermeasure roles on international operations and have regularly participated in exercises with partner navies abroad, and with the Royal Canadian Navy fleet along our Canadian coastlines. As we move towards the future of the Royal Canadian Navy, I want to recognize the service of these ships and extend my tremendous gratitude to all who have sailed within them.”

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy

Quick facts

• The Kingston-class warships were built and launched in the 1990s and are now at the end of their service life. The retirement of these vessels is a necessary step towards the modernization of Canada’s naval capabilities, as resources and personnel shift to address evolving maritime threats
• MCDVs have deployed on Operation CARIBBE in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, Operation PROJECTION in West Africa, Operation REASSURANCE in European waters, and on multiple domestic operations across Canada’s three oceans.
• MCDVs are multi-role minor war vessels with a primary mission of coastal surveillance and patrol including general naval operations and exercises, search and rescue, law enforcement, resource protection and fisheries patrols. Additionally, they have conducted nuclear submarine escorts, national and international exercises, and have supported the training of several naval occupations.
• By transitioning from a platform-centric approach to the delivery of maritime capability, the RCN will continue to fill the roles previously performed by the Kingston-class. For example, naval mine counter-measure roles will be mitigated within Fleet Diving Units, and remote and autonomous systems operated from RCN vessels. The Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Vessels are an operationally capable platform that will also take on Kingston-class roles such as counter-narcotics operations. To continue investing in our sailors, the training role of the Kingston-class will be assumed by an expanded fleet of Orca-class vessels.
• The divestment of the Kingston-class is a process that involves many steps. The significant milestones include uncrewing the ship, the paying off, and then the transfer of “ownership” from the RCN to the Department of National Defence, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) group for eventual divestment.
• The remaining Kingston-class vessels will be gradually paid off in the years ahead. HMCS Yellowknife is set to be paid off in 2026, followed by HMCS Edmonton in 2027 and finally HMC Ships Moncton and Nanaimo in 2028.

On 16 December 1941, convoy SC-60 left Sydney, Cape Breton with 23 merchant ships on the way to Liverpool. Part of the escort was the Canadian corvette, HMCS SPIKENARD. Two days later, her 1st Lt, Lt Bob Hughes, who had joined at HMCS STAR, wrote this letter to a friend, John Wade, back in Hamilton.

Thanks to Roseanne Wade, to whose father, John Wade, the letter was addressed, the letter, transcribed as best as I could, reads:

North Atlantic

Dec. 18, 1941

Dear Johnnie,

               Yesterday, about ten minutes after we pushed out of a “certain” port for a “certain job” the navigator casually mentions there’s a letter waiting for me.  I see it’s from Hamilton, has been all the way to England – covered with censors stamps and such – and got the surprise of my life when I saw it was from you.

George  (illeg) told me a long time ago he had mailed it to me – but I had forgotten it.  Sure got a kick out of it, even if it was a matter of four months late or so.  I know George of old – when I was on the destroyer he was Gunners Mate and my stand-by when I had problems about gunnery, which was most of the time, I must confess.  Have seen him on and off around Halifax for quite a while.

Glad to hear that you’re still holding up the big end of the banners at John and Main.  Sure wish I could drop in there tonight after a few at the Connaught and chew the fat with you.  In fact almost any part of Hamilton would look good to me right now.

This sea life is good – I enjoy it a helluva lot more than sitting in an office in Halifax, but I would rather be down south chasing them native girls than up here looking for Jerry subs.  Even long underwear, fleece lined boots, two sweaters and sundry other woolen goods can’t keep these wintery winds off the old Hughes hide.

Have been away from this business for a few weeks while they were putting the old girl back in shape after a few good poundings and thought I might get home.  However, Esther didn’t want to go back to stay and I couldn’t afford to take us all home and back too, so we took the leave down the coast where we did the refit.  Expect to get home about March, I hope – and so just be prepared!

I intend to just sit down in either the Joe Murphy or the Connaught for about two days and bask in the luxury of beer, beer and more beer. Oh Boy!

Not much I can give out in the way of news John, but will have a few with you one of these days.  My regards to Rose and the gang – if you see any I know and write again soon if you get a chance.

Hope to see you soon

Bob Hughes

About six weeks later, SPIKENARD’s CO, LCdr Hubert Shadforth took part in a competition at The Seagoing Officers’ Club, later known as The Crowsnest, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It is quite possible that Lt Hughes was there.

Bob Hughes was not to get the chance to drink beer at the Joe Murphy or the Connaught. Less than two weeks later, while escorting Convoy SC-67, SPIKENARD was torpedoed and sunk by U-136. There were only eight survivors of the 85 crew. Neither Shadforth or Hughes were among them.

John Wade, to whom the letter was addressed, went on to join the navy himself, also at HMCS STAR, and served in MTB 745, which protected the west flank of the invasion fleet on D-Day.