Currently that winged bow has been removed from the ship, perhaps it did not provide any use.
What will Canadians say about it?

She will be spending about 95% of her time in flat water on the Montt-Natales run.

However.... while Golfo de Penas is relatively quiet much of the time ... I am left wondering what happens when she is punching into a F8 from the NorthWest with the associated sea and swell.....

Thanks Manfred - that's most interesting.
I wonder how they avoid damage when anchored from the chain?

@ davidships: A winged bow design:

http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/featured_content?blog/197

Rgds, Manfred

So what function does the "whale catcher" have? Perhaps to protect raised anchors from damage from wave damage, especially when pitching?

She's just... I don't know... unbearably ugly!

As always, maximisation of revenue-earning, cargo-carrying space.

What is the thinking behind this unusual design?

When nose job's go wrong :D