CFB ESQUIMALT, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 24, 2012) - The commanding officer and members of the crew of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ottawa arrived in Ottawa today to conduct a week-long visit to their namesake city.

"These visits allow the Royal Canadian Navy ships to foster stronger relationships with their namesake cities," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "It is important to ensure that Canadians are aware of the meaningful contributions their navy makes both at home and abroad."

The members of HMCS Ottawa will also take this opportunity for the ship to give back to its namesake city. During their time in Ottawa, the crew will conduct a number of activities, to include the presentation of a cheque to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, a visit with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, as he announces a "Declaration of HMCS Ottawa's day", and helping local scouts with community clean-up.

"We are very proud to represent the city of Ottawa. It is with great enthusiasm that we visit this city to reconnect with partners and friends of the Navy," said Commander Van Will, the commanding officer of HMCS Ottawa.

HMCS Ottawa recently participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) from June to August 2012 in Hawaii. RIMPAC is the world's largest multi-national exercise and is designed to enhance interoperability between Pacific Rim military forces. This exercise allowed the crew of HMCS Ottawa ample opportunities to enhance their war-fighting skills and work alongside their coalition partners.

Based in Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British-Columbia, HMCS Ottawa was the last ship delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy under the Canadian Patrol Frigate program in 1996. HMCS Ottawa is a Canadian-designed and built ship, and is highly capable of performing a variety of roles ranging from humanitarian aid to full-combat operations. During the Cold War, many ships were named for rivers and perpetuated their "River Class" predecessors. Naming ships for cities returned in the 1990s with the names carried by the present fleet of ships. While four ships have been named HMCS Ottawa, only the current ship is named for the nation's capital. Earlier ships were named after the Ottawa River.

Note to editor / news director: HMCS Ottawa's captain, Commander Scott Van Will and members of the crew are available for interviews throughout the week. For information about any of the scheduled activities or to set up media opportunities, please contact Lieutenant (Navy) Jason Knowles at (250)363-2532 or jason.knowles@forces.gc.ca.

For more information on HMCS Ottawa, please visit the ship's website at: http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/ottawa/