The Legacy: Community Engagement with the HMCS Max Bernays

See how Canadians and their businesses are connecting with the HMCS Max Bernays and the newest wave of Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPV).

Various badges worn by the ship's company during her completion

Phillips Brewing and Malting

In May of 2024, Phillips Brewing and Malting announced a partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy and HMCS Max Bernays. Their popular "Blue Buck" ale was renamed and redesigned for the summer months as the "Undaunted" ale. The name, of course, is tied to the story of Bernays himself and the ship's Motto: Interriti Impetus (Undaunted by Fire).

The new cans (as pictured) depict both the ship and Max Bernays himself, along with a brief synopsis of his actions aboard the Assiniboine in 1942. The back of the cans also includes the ship's badge and a large image of CPO Bernays.

Small Batch Rum

In commemoration of the HMCS Max Bernays and its completion in Nova Scotia, Sea Fever Rum released a special edition in May of 2024. The "Commemorative Navy Issue" comes with a hand-drawn image of the Max Bernays traversing the Atlantic to the backdrop of the Northern Lights.

This small batch rum is distilled in Guysborough, Nova Scotia in limited quantities. It marked a deviation from the lighter spiced rum more commonly produced by Sea Fever. Similar to the "Undaunted" ale, this bottle includes the ship's motto, badge, and the story of CPO Bernays. The flavour profile is undeniably a nod to traditional sailor's rum (I.E., it's got a bite!)

Patches, Hats, Coins, and other memorabilia

Although this gear is less accessible to the general public, it is worth noting the types of Max Bernays memorabilia and clothing you may come across in Canada. You may, for example, come across the ship's company donning an HMCS Max Bernays hat in the traditional gold font. Should you come across her personnel in uniform, you may also see the badge as a patch on their shoulders - perhaps in slightly different colour configurations, depending on the environment.

Members of the Bernays family, such as myself, were also given commemorative coins at the announcement of the ship's creation in 2014. For our family, this marked a tangible beginning of the shipbuilding process - a moment we look back on fondly.

Local Projects

Since the ship arrived in Esquimalt, there has been a notable increase in local engagement with the Max Bernays, from home projects to paintings. Even through avenues such as Facebook Marketplace, individuals are creating 3D printed models of the 6 AOPVs (see below).

Hand-drawn still of HMCS Assiniboine held on the Max Bernays

Additional Images