Have you seen these ships at the Port of Bellingham? Here’s what we know
You may have heard whisperings of Canadian warships docking at the Port of Bellingham — and the rumors are true.
Three Canadian Naval ships known as Yellowknife, Nanaimo and Edmonton will be docked at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal March 8-10.
“The vessels will take on water and other provisions before continuing their journey along the West Coast conducting operations in support of Canada along the Pacific rim,” wrote Port of Bellingham Public Affairs Administrator Mike Hogan in a statement to The Herald.
Hogan did not provide further information about the nature of the vessels’ operations.
All three vessels are classified as Kingston Class coastal defense vessels, each measuring approximately 180 feet in length, according to Hogan.
The ships are just three of 12 total Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels (MCDV) of the Kingston Class. A contract to build the 12 vessels was signed in 1992. The ships were designed to commercial standards and intended to conduct coastal patrols, mine sweeping, law enforcement, pollution surveillance and response as well as search and rescue duties, according to the Canadian government.
No public tours of the vessels will be available.
“The Port hopes this will be first of many stops by our neighbors in the future,” Hogan wrote.
