Rimouski, December 4 2008 Last week's efforts have made it possible to haul the submarine over an extra 30 metres, for a total distance of 80 metres. However, through the last portion of the haul, one of the three dollies supporting the submarine on the ramp slipped out of position, about ten meters before reaching the intended final destination. Therefore, the leaders of the "Site Historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père" have decided to put a final stop to the hauling operations. "We are very satisfied with its position" said director Serge Guay, adding that it would be technically very complicated and too costly to continue the operation now that harsh winter conditions prevail. The remaining distance of about 10 metres is not significant enough to justify taking such important risks. Photo: Roland Thériault

Through the coming weeks, a protective dike will be raised and permanent supports installed to hold the submarine on its final site. The visiting concept is already on the drawing board and the adapted interior set up will be completed through the winter months.

Let's remember that "former" HMCS Onondaga and its crew of 70 have served Canada from 1967 through the year 2000. The 90 metre long ship will become the only submarine accessible to the public in Canada. Its opening to visitors is planned for the middle of May 2009.

November 19 2008

November 4 2008

October 20 2008

October 10 2008

July 23 2008

July 22 2008

July 18 2008

july 17 2008

The aim of the project is to ensure the safekeeping and exploits of one of Canada's last witnesses to the cold war, HMC Submarine ONONDAGA. More precisely, it will let us depict what life aboard one of this type of very particular sea vessels was like, but also, let us find out more about the various technologies of the era such as propulsion, navigation instruments, safety, etc.

This featured project, unique in Canada, will allow the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site and the city of Rimouski to offer something completely new for both Quebec and Canadian tourism industry.

Having learnt considerable lessons from the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII, the Canadian Navy finally recognized the importance of a submarine fleet. In the late 1960s the Navy acquired three (3) Oberon Class submarines: HMCS Ojibwa (1965), HMCS Onondaga (1967), and HMCS Okanagan (1968) which protected Canada by patrolling our waters and by training our sailors so that they would be ready to defend themselves and us against enemy submarines, both in Canada and throughout the world. They have also been used for antidrug operations and fishery patrols on the fishing banks of Canada.

Submarine Specifications :

This project stems from the unique nature in Canada. There are very few naval ships left from the Cold War Era as it was called. Rimouski will be the only location in Canada where people can take a tour onboard a Canadian submarine. Be it to assess the living conditions onboard or to understand the technology as such, without a doubt, a tour of a submarine is a major attraction for most. The tour however is not static,it will offer a live experience to the visitors senses. The submarines interior will be staged and its various electronic and mechanical equipments will remain active to recreate its real ambiance: at times, that of a training dive, at times that of an emergency or other situation scenario.

At night, simulation activities for restricted groups lasting for approximately ninety minutes will be available. These activities will include: A hunt for surface vessels exercise including the launching of torpedoes, An escape exercise using survival equipment after a sinking in deep water, A fire exercise in the engine room, and more.

Moreover, it will be possible to make the experience last in a more significant manner by offering the possibility of spending the night onboard for a real live and out of the ordinary experience.