HALIFAX - A Canadian warship steamed out of Halifax harbour on Thursday to resume patrols in the Persian Gulf and gain intelligence on potential terrorist activity in the volatile region.
Hundreds of weeping family members lined the military dock as HMCS Charlottetown made its way out to sea to begin a six-month mission involving surveillance, boarding suspicious vessels and ensuring the safety of a waterway that's key to the international trade of oil.
Commander Patrick St-Denis said the ongoing naval presence is vital in the area despite criticisms that the Canadian contingent has apprehended few terrorists or acquired valuable intelligence since 2001.
"If we were not there, do we want to see the results and consequences to Canada?" he said on the jetty moments before departing under clear skies and a stiff wind.
"This could have a huge impact on oil prices as well as terrorist activities (affecting) Canada."
The vessel, with 250 crew and a Sea King helicopter on board, will also visit several ports in the region to help build better relations with locals who could provide information on terror threats, St-Denis said.
"The focus has changed a little bit to gain the co-operation of the locals so we can gain more intelligence," he said.
The Halifax-class patrol frigate will be taking part in Operation Altair, part of Canada's contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom, the code-name for the American-led war on terror.
Canada hasn't had a vessel there since last March when HMCS Ottawa returned from the Gulf where the frigate was part of a U.S. carrier strike group during a six-month tour.
St-Denis said it wasn't yet clear whether Canada will be called on next year to lead the multinational naval task force in the region, which it has done in the past.
Over the last few years Ottawa has dispatched warships on an individual basis. It's unclear whether the Conservative government will be required to send more ships to meet the lead responsibility.
Families hugged and waved small Canadian flags as the ship prepared to depart, while small children called out for their fathers when the frigate pulled away from the jetty.
Brenda Capilan watched as her husband held their seven-month-old daughter before stepping aboard the Charlottetown for a mission that will see him miss some important milestones.
"It's going to be hard - her first birthday, her first Christmas," she said, a Canadian flag in her hand. "But this is what he does, this is his job and we're prepared for it."
Since the first Gulf War in 1991, the navy has sent ships to the region more than 30 times. By far the biggest deployment came following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
Six warships and more than 1,500 sailors and aircrew joined U.S. and British warships to help hunt down al-Qaida suspects fleeing Afghanistan by sea.
Since then the navy has rotated ships in and out of the volatile waters on a individual basis, but the pace - when combined with training, maintenance and regular coastal defence - has put a strain on resources.
St-Denis said the frigate will continue searching for illegal weapons and cargo.
"The the main thing is we're going to be making sure the safety of vessels transiting in and out of the theatre of operations will be done," he said.
