This past year has been very interesting. I have had several opportunities to visit and record our Canadian Sailors at work, on current taskings, preparing for deployment and building our future Navy.
Below are some of my favourite photos from 2017, Canada’s 150th Anniversary!
All the photos are available to view in my Flickr Album, 2017 RCN Photos.
Great Lakes Tour
Canadian Navy ships and sailors across the nation have taken part in the celebrations this year, visiting many ports and opening their ships to tours. Introducing thousands of Canadians to the men and women that serve in our Navy.
Two ships were sent into the Great Lakes, HMCS GOOSE BAY, Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessel and HMCS TORONTO, Halifax class patrol frigate. Together these two ships visited ports along the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario.
MV ASTERIX –Unveiling
On 20 July 2017, Rhonda and I were invited to the unveiling ceremony of MV ASTERIX, Interim AOR for the RCN. This was an incredible experience, being able to watch history being made.
I have written several blog posts on ASTERIX.
Unveiling MV Asterix, Resolve Class AOR
MV Asterix -Why Not HMCS ASTERIX?
MV ASTERIX -Exterior Tour of RCN’s Interim AOR
HMCS ORIOLE
In the spring of 2017, the RCN’s only tall ship, HMCS ORIOLE made an epic journey from Esquimalt, BC to Halifax, to take part in the Tall Ships Rendezvous on the east coast. Fortunately the ships company was very active on social media and many people, including myself were able to follow ORIOLE’s passage.
I was able to catch up with the ship in Quebec City, but only had enough time to see her magnificent Ketch rig from a distance. Fortunately, I did meet up with her in Halifax and was able to visit this historic Canadian ship. I was honoured to present the ship with a complete collection of my RCN history books for the ship’s library.
Halifax -Tall Ships Rendezvous/ Canada 150
Halifax was the place to be this summer!
The largest gathering of sailing ships in many years took place on the magnificent waterfront and the RCN played an active role in the activities.
Bluenose led the sail past, while HMCS ORIOLE took up the final position.
Here a few pics of the RCN at work during the Tall Ship festival.
RCN and HMC Dockyard Operations
Even with many thousands of visitors on the Halifax waterfront, Canada’s Navy remained operational. Dockyard activities continued as if “just another day.” Few of the visitors noticed, HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN preparing for her six month NATO deployment.
Sadly, there has been a few changes in the Dockyard, I was able to capture a few shots of ex-HMCS ATHABASKAN during a cold move. The historic Iroquois class destroyer is destined to join her sisters at the breakers, ending an important era in Canada’s Maritime History.
This is a few of the pictures I was able to get in 2017. All the photos are available to view in my Flickr Album, 2017 RCN Photos.
Related Link: 2017 The Year in Review
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