There were many tearful goodbyes as HMCS Toronto left Halifax this morning for a mission in the Arabian Sea.

Families and loved ones started gathering at the Halifax Dockyard around 7:30 a.m. The crew set sail at 10 a.m.

The warship is a Halifax-based Canadian patrol frigate with a crew of roughly 225 personnel. It will take part in Operation Artemis until the fall of 2013.

Canada is one of 26 nations contributing naval assets as part of an international campaign against terrorism in the Middle East.

According to a news release from the Royal Canadian Navy, HMCS Toronto underwent extensive training in preparation for the deployment.

It replaces HMCS Regina, which has been in the region since August.