BUTTERWORTH: Ahoy, Penang! Canadian warship HMCS Winnipeg docked at the Inner Wharf here yesterday for a four-day holiday in Penang before it returns home.
The 134-metre long frigate with 250 sailors served under the Operation Reassurance mission in central and eastern Europe, among others before arriving here.
This is the first time a Canadian army warship has ever called on a Penang. HMCS Regina and HMCS Ottawa had called on Port Klang in 2013 and early 2000s respectively.
They were received by Penang Resident Naval Officer Lt Kdr Muhamad Nazer Abdullah at 10.30am.
Six tour buses freighted the crew members to George Town, starting at the famed Gurney Drive for hawker food. They will then head to Batu Ferringhi for a swim by the famed beach.
HMCS Winnipeg public affairs officer Sub-lieutenant Jamie Tobin told visiting reporters that it was looking forward to spending some leisure time, after spending 215 days on the high seas.
“Most of us have never been to Malaysia and what a way to discover it in a food paradise such as Penang.
"I hear you complaining about the hot weather. For us, the weather is perfect! It is cold back in our country,” he said.
Tobin added during its stopover, the ship would also restock on food and water supply before it embarks on its journey back to her home port at the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British Columbia.
A small handover ceremony also took place on the ship as Naval Commander Jeffrey Hutchinson took over the reigns of the ship from Naval Commander Pascal Belhumeur. Belhumeur took command of HMCS Winnipeg in July 2013.
The vessel has been deployed on anti-terrorism operations in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, and counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.
Winnipeg had also escorted United Nations ships carrying famine, plague, and overpopulation relief supplies to East Africa.
HMCS Winnipeg is one of Canada’s 12 Halifax-class patrol frigates. The 4,795 metric tonne ship includes a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment. It is also equipped with an arsenal of armament for combat.