The national news magazine of the

CrowsnestVol. 11, No. 3 Summer 2017 www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca

Pedaling in the first NAVY BIKE RIDE Photo: MCpl Pat Blanchard

Lieutenant-Commander Wil Lund provides instruction to members of the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Joint Maritime Committee, Fisheries Inspection and Boarding Team during Neptune Trident 17-01. Talented mid-level RCN leaders show the way By Darlene Blakeley mentorship to extraordinary levels. “In Freetown, Sierra Leone, I was “The RCN is committed to building very fortunate to host the United “A leader is one who knows the way, leaders at every level and the high Nations Woman’s Ambassadors group goes the way and shows the way.” intensity of recent activity both at onboard our ship,” LCdr Robichaud This quote from John C. Maxwell is home and abroad has provided oppor- says. “Female crew members and I a perfect description of what it means tunities for mid-level leaders to put learned what it was like to be a to be a leader in the Royal Canadian their extensive training and unique woman in Sierra Leone. We had the Navy (RCN). capabilities into action. They are what honour to speak with local young Over the past few months wide- right looks like,” says Vice-Admiral women and female dignitaries to learn ranging global activity, high expecta- Ron Lloyd, Commander RCN. “I more about how women are overcom- tions and a superior quality of couldn’t be prouder of what they have ing adversity and promoting equal response have showcased the capa- accomplished and what it means for rights so that future generations of bilities, drive and talent of those mid- our future fleet.” women can succeed. I have been for- level leaders (both officers and non- tunate throughout my career, so shar- commissioned members) who could Leadership means leading by ing my story and possibly influencing be the next generation of senior lead- example or inspiring young women, is truly ership in the RCN. Deployed on Neptune Trident 17-01 moving.” Whether it be working with children in West Africa this spring, Lieutenant- In Monrovia, Liberia, she took the in Sierra Leone, seizing illicit drugs off Commander Nicole Robichaud, com- crew to a community called West the coast of Central America, circum- manding officer of Her Majesty’s Point, the poorest and most densely navigating North America in the RCN’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Moncton, set populated area of the country. It only commissioned sailing ship, creat- the example for her crew. Not only did houses over 80,000 people and was ing a new tactical operations group they participate in maritime training hit hard by the Ebola crisis. and training with North African part- exercises designed to improve coop- “We went to the local school in the ners, or completing intense workups eration among participating nations in area that teaches about 1,500 stu- to get a submarine ready for opera- the Gulf of Guinea, they also worked dents,” she explains. “The school was tions with allies, these leaders have ashore to help improve the lives of closed down during the Ebola crisis raised the bar of trust, teamwork and local residents. and opened up as an Ebola Crisis

2 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca Centre. Our crew refurbished their Leadership means inspiring team- that the great training the crew has basketball court, fixed desks and work received in recent months came painted the classroom floors. The stu- On the other side of the world, together for a successful interdiction in dents, teachers and counsellors all HMCS patrolled the support of regional stability.” helped out. The crew was amazing, Eastern Pacific as part of Operation He adds that the dedication and approaching every task with open Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to an hard work of the crew of Saskatoon eyes and pushing to get as much international counter-narcotics opera- during Op Caribbe has been done possible in the short amount of tion. “incredibly rewarding” to see. “Saska- time that we were there. Afterwards, In March, Saskatoon seized 660 toon sailed from , B.C., with we played a game of soccer where kilograms of cocaine, and then in April a new crew in January 2017 and there were about 1,000 children another 460 kilograms, in international through hard work and excellence in watching and cheering us on.” waters in the Eastern Pacific in just training, they have grown together and Petty Officer 1st Class Sylvie two of several drug interdictions dur- performed seamlessly in theatre. Their Simoneau, Moncton’s coxswain, was ing the mission. In both cases, the ability to work together operationally captivated by the children. “Working ship intercepted suspicious vessels has enabled international joint with the kids was the most fascinating initially spotted by maritime patrol air- operations, ultimately reducing the connection one could ever have. It craft. Saskatoon launched a rigid- volume of drugs reaching North didn’t matter where we were, the kids hulled inflatable boat with an America.” were always happy to see us and they embarked United States Coast Guard The ship’s executive officer, knew we were there for them. We Law Enforcement Detachment team to Lieutenant (Navy) Christopher Shook, worked, read and played with them. I halt the panga-style vessels, which says he has learned first-hand the feel that I have made a difference to were then boarded and the suspected challenges facing the ship’s them with the help of an amazing smugglers apprehended. Several commanding officer over the course of commanding officer and crew.” bales of cocaine were recovered from the deployment. “Being the XO of a Photo: MCpl Pat Blanchard Also deployed on Neptune Trident both the panga and the ocean after Canadian ship on an international was HMCS Summerside, commanded the suspected smugglers attempted to deployment has helped me by LCdr Paul Smith. The ship’s crew jettison their cargo. understand the challenges my worked with Spanish, Moroccan, LCdr Todd Bacon, Saskatoon’s superiors face and better prepared me French, Senegalese and Sierra commanding officer, says this to assist them.” Leonean warships, and also repre- impressive achievement comes down His thoughts are echoed by the Talented mid-level RCN leaders show the way sented Canada as a “floating embas- to preparation and teamwork. “I am ship’s coxswain, Petty Officer 1st sy”, hosting military and civilian offi- extremely pleased to see Class Joseph Dagenais. “Throughout cials from several nations including China, Russia, Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Togo and the United Kingdom. Crew members also demonstrated Canadian values by conducting out- reach engagements such as repairing a generator at an orphanage for young girls who lost both parents dur- ing the Ebola outbreak, providing donations to elementary schools in need, and supporting youth organizations that are themselves providing support to their communi- ties through education and mentor- ship. “Without a doubt, this has been the most spiritually rewarding experience of my career,” says LCdr Smith. “The RCN has never had ships alongside in these countries before, and it was an eye-opening experience for myself and my ship’s compa- ny. Distinct countries with their own cultural and historical differences, the Western African nations we visited In March and April, HMCS Saskatoon seized all share the same determination to 1,120 kilograms of cocaine in international Photo: DND improve the lives of their people.” waters in the Eastern Pacific.

www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 3 , the crew has HMCS Windsor remained focused and vigilant, aided by the unwavering dedication of HMCS Saskatoon’s leadership. Personnel of all ranks and trades worked tirelessly to ensure their sub- ordinates were well rested so they could continue to achieve mission success.”

Leadership means inspiring and mentoring junior leaders LCdr Wil Lund is the commanding officer of the RCN’s new Maritime Tactical Operations Group, or MTOG. Since its inception in 2014, MTOG has deployed four maritime interdiction Photo: Cpl Kenneth Galbraith Cpl Photo: teams on international deployments and also contributed to training events oversight is a direct result of their abil- tasked and on time.” with partner navies, capacity-building ity to understand and execute the Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Brent tasks and exercises in numerous commander’s intent in volatile, uncer- Bethell, the MTOG’s unit chief petty countries around the globe, as well as tain, chaotic or ambiguous situations.” officer, agrees. “Being part of a team across Canada. The greatest challenge for LCdr of highly motivated goal-orientated The team recently completed a Lund was the unit’s first 12 months of personnel, continually problem-solving series of activities in Tunisia, Liberia operation. During this period the and being creative in resource man- and Sierra Leone as part of the RCN’s MTOG was tasked to select, train and agement opened my eyes to how engagement strategy. MTOG worked equip a 10-member team in time to effective an inspired team can be, in the area to enhance partner capa- support operations with HMCS regardless of rank level.” bilities in planning, command and con- Winnipeg. trol, tactical movement and combined “This was an incredibly busy, almost Leadership means working operations with foreign nations. frantic, time for the original 12 MTOG together to achieve common goals “The critical component in the suc- members who were constantly chal- After an intense training program, cess of MTOG’s operations hinges on lenged with obstacles and problems Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine the significant mentorship and devel- that none had encountered before, or Windsor transited the Atlantic earlier opment of its junior leaders to operate even expected,” he says. “This origi- this year, participating in Exercise in a small team environment,” says nal team showed outstanding leader- Joint Warrior and visiting Faslane, LCdr Lund. “The trust these members ship, creativity and determination in Scotland and Lisbon, Portugal. After have earned to conduct these opera- solving problems, while also ensuring the port visits, the sub transited to the tions independently and with limited that MTOG delivered the capability as western coast of Spain to participate in Trident Juncture and its first exer- cise was to conduct a Special Forces rendezvous and insertion. “Weeks of training, coordination and hard work paid off and the pick-up and insertion went flawlessly,” says LCdr Peter Chu, Windsor’s commanding officer. “I remember in the middle of the night talking to the Special Forces team leader just before the insertion, who expressed numerous times what an awesome team Windsor had and what an incredible experience it was for his team. I was extremely proud of my crew, how far they had come, the sacrifices they had made and how we had all come together.” He says that as a commanding Photo: LS David Gariepy David LS Photo: officer he realizes that the operational Lieutenant-Commander Michael Wills, commanding officer of HMCSOriole , thanks Elder schedule, training program and Elmer George of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations for performing a blessing ceremony prior to leaving on a 10,000 nautical mile voyage. assigned missions are not the

4 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca highlights of command. Instead they’re the majority of the crew who had “I am very impressed at the crew’s “the enablers that develop camarade- never sailed prior to being assigned to determination and teamwork,” he says. rie, cohesiveness, teamwork and most Oriole. “This level of commitment is what we importantly, a strong bond.” “Preparing the ship for this voyage need to ensure we arrive safely and “I have been extremely privileged to the East Coast has been particular- demonstrate our professionalism as and humbled to have had the opportu- ly challenging,” says LCdr Michael ambassadors of Canada and the nity to command extraordinary subma- Wills, Oriole’s commanding officer. RCN.” riners, and it is these relationships that “Ensuring the ship and its company I have built over the past three years were ready took many months of sur- Leadership means preparing for that I cherish the most and will veys, maintenance and crew training. future fleet continue to cherish once my command This effort required dedication from The diverse and challenging activities is over,” LCdr Chu says. the ship’s company, technical authori- of these RCN ships over the past few ties, fleet maintenance and other months have highlighted the ability, Leadership means overcoming Canadian maritime industry techni- dedication and commitment of their challenges together cians, and above all the support of our mid-level commanding officers and The RCN’s only commissioned sail- families. Departing on the voyage April senior non-commissioned members. ing ship, HMCS Oriole, is facing its 16 was the culmination of this effort “As the RCN prepares for the future own challenges during a 10,000 nauti- and was particularity rewarding.” fleet and new classes of ships, it’s cal mile voyage from CFB Esquimalt PO1 Jason Bode, who took over as great to know they will be in good to Nova Scotia. As part of celebrating Oriole’s coxswain in January, says hands,” says VAdm Lloyd. “Our young Canada’s 150th birthday, the ship will that despite having extensive sea time leaders have shown they are more visit 27 ports of call in its longest in other RCN ships, it was “a steep than capable of taking on the big tasks. deployment since 1998. learning curve” as he joined in the Along the way they are demonstrating The first leg of its journey was partic- midst of preparing for this six-month that leading by example, taking care of ularly challenging as Oriole encoun- deployment. Once at sea however, he their people and mentoring those under tered unforecasted 50-knot southerly quickly learned his duties as officer of their command enables them not only winds, which both halted the ship the watch while under sail and found to achieve mission success, but also to progress to San Diego, Calif., and his respect for the entire crew growing pave the way for future generations of presented a significant challenge for as they faced challenges together. dedicated leaders.”

Honorary Naval Captains proud to wear new distinctive insignia

By Kylee Mackay leadership and help the navy commu- nicate its strategic direction and priori- The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ties through a variety of events and has come up with an innovative way outreach opportunities. to identify and honour its Honorary The new insignia pins were present- Naval Captains (HCapt (N)). ed to a number of the HCapts(N) dur- The HCapt(N) insignia pin is a new ing a mess dinner onboard HMCS lapel pin designed to be worn on the Montréal while the ship was docked in HCapt(N) uniform. This pin uniquely Montréal for the city’s 375th anniver-

represents the sary on May 17. Houck J.W.S. Cpl Photo: commitment to HCapt(N) Mandy Farmer, from HCapt(N) Mandy Farmer receives her the RCN made Victoria, was one in attendance to Honorary Naval Captain insignia pin from by these lead- receive her pin that night. “The Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander RCN, onboard HMCS Montréal. ers who have HCapt(N) insignia pin is very impor- been appoint- tant to me in this role. It is quite an can proudly wear on their military or ed to act as a honour to represent the Royal civilian dress. Former HCapts(N) bridge between Canadian Navy and I know that it will may also wear the pin in perpetuity. the RCN and provide a unique conversation starter Depicting the RCN fouled anchor, their own sectors of influence. when worn with my civilian clothing in the new insignia pin is similar to the HCapts(N) are distinguished my local and professional communi- Sea Service Insignia worn by all Canadians who have been appoint- ties to speak about RCN personnel, RCN officers and non-commissioned ed by the Minister of National programs and opportunities,” she said. members to mark their days at sea. Defence to take on the role of The insignia pins aim to enhance A red maple leaf added to the centre ambassador for the RCN to the the esprit de corps within the RCN’s of the anchor on the HCapt(N) insig- Canadian people. They forge lasting HCapt(N) community and provide nia pin represents their voluntary relationships with RCN senior them with a distinctive identifier they service to Canada in this role. www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 5 Information as war DNIW has undertaken several initia- tives to advance the issue. While it is The RCN comes to grips with a new battle space still some time away from achieving a fully developed warfare area, work is under way to move ahead on the strategy to ensure IW requirements can be met now and in the future. The RCN, along with Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, has been at the fore- front of the development of maritime IW. The RCN strategy paper outlines the navy’s vision for IW as the delivery of battle winning information superiori- ty, the coordinated and integrated IW A view of new satellite dishes installed on Signal Hill at CFB Esquimalt, B.C. functional areas executed in the mari- Photo: LS David Gariepy time and joint environments. This leads to the IW mission statement: By Darlene Blakeley allow us to maneuver and fight more develop and employ IW functional effectively in this emerging IW areas to enhance naval command and e must now go beyond domain,” says Cdr Sohn. control in order to deliver excellence considering the problem at sea. “Wof information in war What is information warfare? According to Cdr Sohn, the out- and consider information as war – a IW can be defined as the provision, comes of this strategy include building new domain in its own right which assured use and protection of infor- paths that are adaptable and resilient enables all other aspects of warfare.” mation, processes, systems and net- to cyber or electronic attack; These words from Commander Carl works, and limiting, degrading and enhanced intelligence surveillance Sohn of the Directorate of Naval denying that of adversaries to achieve and reconnaissance; enhanced war Information Warfare (DNIW) in Ottawa operational advantage across the bat- fighting; and the development of IW underline the stark reality that the tle space. It is a warfare domain that specialists. Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) suc- is an all-encompassing amalgamation Cyberspace and intelligence opera- cess in future operations depends of warfare disciplines: communica- tions are key aspects of IW capabili- increasingly on the speed, security tions, cyber operations, electronic ties that can provide persistent surveil- and adaptability of information warfare warfare, information operations, intelli- lance of the maritime battle space. (IW) capabilities. gence, oceanography, meteorology They can also provide tactical, opera- “In this new operational domain, the and information management. tional and strategic knowledge of an new function in the navy’s strategy is “It’s not really new; essentially noth- adversary’s capabilities and intentions; dependent on the mastery of the ing has changed…but everything has enable increased weapon range, information component of combat changed,” says Captain (Navy) John effectiveness and lethality; and inte- power and our concept of IW under- Tremblay, Director DNIW. “Information grate targeting and fire control capa- pins this critical function,” Cdr Sohn has always been the lifeblood of war- bilities to deliver kinetic and non-kinet- explains. “The RCN must use infor- fare. The advantage of knowing more ic effects. mation as a weapon in itself and con- about yourself, your environment and “We realize that the challenges pre- sider strategic communications and your adversary has always existed. sented by IW are representative of the information operations at the heart of What has changed is the volume of advanced and complex nature of war- any war fighting effort.” data – information – and its myriad fare in the future where our adversar- He notes that rapidly evolving tech- sources, in addition to the increasing ies’ increased use of the information nology has changed the way in which demand to act more quickly and with component significantly reduces our information influences military opera- greater precision.” decision space and our actions tions, and military forces must adapt The RCN has traditionally generated become reactionary,” says Cdr Sohn. accordingly if they are to remain effec- forces capable of operating in three “Our IW capabilities, fused with the tive in the modern operating environ- primary areas of warfare: anti-air, anti- continued evolution of the information ment. The challenge for the RCN will surface and anti-submarine. IW has battle space with the potential pre- be how it collects, exploits, dissemi- advanced exponentially to become the sented by things like artificial intelli- nates and uses information in the predominate activity integrated with all gence, advanced analytics, automa- conduct of modern naval operations. these traditional areas of warfare. tion and machine learning, can signifi- “This will be achieved by embracing IW has only just been developed in cantly expand our decision space and new concepts and new technologies, the RCN with the delivery of strategy the ability to determine the intentions and by integrating new capabilities to and concept papers in late 2016, and of our adversaries with a higher

6 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca degree of certainty.” of threat vulnerabilities to our systems continuously improved upon in order Cdr Sohn notes that failure to occur as a result of poor practices or to maintain cyber resilience,” says Cdr understand the magnitude of the inadvertent actions with our most Sohn. “This problem is more than just threat presented by adversaries in the important systems. Obviously, making an engineering problem; it requires a information warfare domain risks the sure we do ‘what’s right’ will help change in culture of how we view our technical advantage of our modern ensure our ability to survive in the systems and risks to mission suc- weapon systems. “Embracing IW will information environment.” cess.” allow the RCN to use information as a Information warfare is a relatively weapon, not simply as an enabler,” he Warships in a cyber-contested new concept when compared to tradi- says. environment tional warfare areas, but the pace with Building warships that take into which the information domain is Every sailor is an information account the threat to information tech- advancing is exponential. warrior nology and information systems, as “The RCN has become critically Just like every sailor in the RCN’s well as the cyber threat, requires that dependant on information; we rely on warships is a firefighter, every sailor is the operational needs of a warship in technology in nearly everything we do an information warrior, according to a cyber contested environment are from administration to operations,” Cdr Sohn. DNIW, in conjunction with well understood. This implies that says Capt(N) Tremblay. “We haven’t the Director Naval Personnel and operators understand the criticality of fully come to terms with fallback Training and Naval Personnel Training the systems within the ship, as well as options or alternatives in the event of Group, is implementing an occupa- the threats to and vulnerabilities of loss of service or having to operate in tional review to see where IW fits in those systems, in order to communi- denied, degraded, intermittent or limit- certain trades. Some are obvious, cate security needs. These needs can ed environment. However, we are get- such as Naval Communicators and be worked into security engineering ting more efficient. Information is a Weapons Engineers, but others such requirements. battle of narratives – everything we as Maritime Surface and Sub-Surface In addition, an understanding of the say or do is instantaneously exposed officers and Naval Combat Systems defensive cyber operations capabili- to global scrutiny. This has the poten- Engineers are being considered. ties required in a ship, both for equip- tial to influence our adversaries, their Professionals in the intelligence, com- ment and personnel, is needed in supporters and conversely, our nation- puter information systems, cyber, order to determine what cyber security al audience.” information management, meteorology tools are to be part of the security As the RCN comes to grips with this and oceanography domains have engineering. new battle space one thing is clear: been combined under the leadership “The security architecture, design success in future operations depends of DNIW. and implementation must form part of on the speed, security and adaptability This amalgamation, specifically the the entire life cycle of the ship and be of IW capabilities. intelligence and naval communications functions, will be a first for the (CAF) and demonstrates a commitment to ensure the RCN’s IW capability. This will be achieved in two stages: the develop- ment of subject matter expertise in the existing trade structure, and the defini- tion of new training requirements. Additionally the CAF has established a new occupation, Cyber Operator, which will be open to occupation transfer and recruitment in the near future. “That said, it is critical that every- body is aware of their responsibilities to defend and protect the information, IT and networks that are omnipresent in our day-to-day operations,” stresses Cdr Sohn. “Practising sound cyber hygiene such as frequent password changes, and following established information technology security, oper- ational security and personal security Henry Ogle LS Photo: Naval communicator Master Seaman Justin Taylor sends out light signals during a replenish- protocols will go a long way in protect- ment-at-sea. An occupational review will determine how information warfare fits into certain ing our information. About 80 per cent trades.

www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 7 Naval warships take to the Great Lakes

HMCS Goose Bay in Toronto

By Lieutenant (Navy) Diane Larose many smaller communities. Previous ocean, and fewer still live near a naval Great Lakes Deployments have trav- base. Ships that make the journey up or Canada’s 150th anniversary eled as far inland as Thunder Bay, the Great Lakes not only demonstrate Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Ont. the power and scale of a warship, but F(HMCS) Goose Bay and Even though Canada has the lon- also the professionalism and dedica- Toronto are participating in the annual gest coastline in the world, most of the tion of their sailors. Canadians will Great Lakes Deployment, the Royal population lives far away from the have the chance to meet many of the Canadian Navy’s (RCN) major out- reach event. HMCS Goose Bay A Great Lakes Deployment sees filled with visitors one or more ships based out of in Kingston, Ont. Maritime Forces Atlantic travel from their home port of Halifax to cities along the Great Lakes, giving as many Canadians as possible, who would otherwise never have the opportunity, a chance to see a war- ship first-hand. These deployments take place almost every summer and have been happening in some form or another since 1959 when the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway made it possi- ble for larger ships to travel through the locks. Each year the cities visited by the ships changes. Typically the ships will visit major cities such as Québec City,

Montréal and Toronto, in addition to A. Stephen Photos:MCpl Charles

8 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca Naval warships take to the Great Lakes RCN’s best and brightest as they tour the ships and get a sneak peek inside life at sea. The ships will be going the extra mile this year to welcome the commu- nity onboard – all in the spirit of Canada 150. Events will include tours, Indigenous welcoming ceremonies, displays about life in the RCN, and day and overnight sails for local lead- ers. Sailors will also travel into the communities to take part in local sporting events and even citizenship ceremonies to welcome new Canadians. As well, HMCS Toronto participated in Canada Day festivities in its name- sake city. This deployment also hopes to attract talented, diverse and dedicated

Photo:Cpl Kenneth Galbraith individuals who may have never previ- Fireworks are set off in Toronto on July 1 with HMCS Toronto, far right, alongside for the ously considered a career in the navy celebrations. or Naval Reserve. A few lucky individ- uals from the Saguenay region in Visitors line up to Québec who have already made the tour HMCS Goose decision to join the Canadian Armed Bay in Windsor, Ont. Forces had their enrolment ceremony at Chicoutimi’s Naval Reserve Division HMCS Champlain on the jetty next to HMCS Goose Bay. All new candidates had a tour of the ship following the ceremony. For more information on the Great Lakes Deployment, visit the RCN Facebook page.

Sailors ready the lines as HMCS Goose Bay Sailors aboard prepares to dock in Montréal. HMCS Goose Bay observe the entrance into Montréal.

www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 9 HMCS Montréal, the RCN’s Experimental Ship.

Photo: Cpl Anthony Chand Anthony Cpl Photo: Anchored in the future

By Rear-Admiral John Newton the anchor in the first instance, leav- engineering watch keepers agreed Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic ing hundreds of feet of cable hanging with me, but the issues with our steer- vertically beneath the ship. ing system had been chronic, and this t is hard to imagine inadvertently I took lessons from that experience was but one symptom of bigger chal- dropping an anchor. To prevent and demanded of myself that I under- lenges that various repairs had been Isuch an occurrence, there are stand how a basic element of ship trying to address. My duty done, I left drilled procedures, crisp communica- safety could become a liability. I it to the engineers to operate the sys- tions, a safety briefing and frequent learned what had already been tem safely. training. To drop the anchor, the cable learned: that watch teams must not be The next day we were sailing upriv- party would have to be up and about abandoned at their posts. The teams er from Québec City when the captain their equipment, a heavy mechanical must be included in conversations and asked me to relieve him on the bridge restraint tripped and a braking mecha- visits by supervisors. For their part, for a few minutes. Proceeding at 24 nism laboriously released. Finally, all they must remain alert and fully cogni- knots against a strong river current is this activity would occur under the zant of the ship’s progress. In the a thrill to say the least, but the dan- watchful eye of an alert officer of the case of the incident described, an gers are manifold. While at first the watch who would surely query the attentive cable party might have river was still wide, the channel was commotion. judged whether there was time to narrowing quickly. My initial action In my story, the cable party had query the surprise order. A more was to establish order on the bridge. A been held for hours at monotonous thoughtful officer of the watch might large delegation of HMCS Athabaskan standby when, out of the blue, the have asked if a cable party was survivors from the Second World War team’s communicator was certain he indeed required for hours on end was present, guests for the day, cele- heard someone order the anchor to where threat of grounding was not brating their annual reunion. Their be let go. With that his watch mates imminent. awe at the modern surroundings com- jumped into action and the anchor Weeks later, while steaming up the pared with their wartime Tribal-class shot away, pulling out great lengths of St. Lawrence River, I noted during destroyer generated excited chatter, a chain as it accelerated toward the evening rounds of the steering gear distraction on the bridge as the chan- seabed. compartment a noise not unlike water nel narrowed to 500 yards. Fortunately, the cable party execut- hammer in kitchen plumbing. My rudi- As I turned to look up the river, I felt ed the panicked countermanding ments of engineering confirmed to me the ship suddenly heel over, and the order from the bridge with the same that hammering in very high pressure horizon began angling diagonally alacrity with which they had released hydraulic lines was not normal. The across the windows. I grabbed some-

10 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca thing for support and barked a query and the procedures we followed actu- Canadian Sea Training Group, under at the officer of the watch, wondering ally served the purpose of making the the aegis of Commander Maritime why he was changing course ahead of ship safer. We used the near-ground- Forces Atlantic. A single Naval Force any planned alteration. As he stam- ing to reaffirm our discipline toward Readiness director, also under Com- mered, befuddled by the emergency bridge watch keeping, steering gear mander Maritime Forces Atlantic, has building around him, the helmsman failure drills and communications. That overhauled each naval order relating shouted above the noise that he had said, we were not suitably set up as a to collective training, and every not turned the helm. The ship was navy in that era to examine the orga- combat readiness requirement right racing forward under maximum rudder nization and watch keeping scriptures down to the detail of personnel angle toward an imminent grounding, more thoroughly: we simply took those requirements, drill procedures and with the 80-year-old Athabaskan survi- as immutable and corrected what we periodicity. vors holding on for dear life on the could control. Navigation techniques are being steeply sloping deck. With the ship The near-grounding burned into my completely reassessed, with a keen clearly in extremis, a full-speed-astern brain a concern that our navigation eye turned to the lessons learned over engine order and the anchor were all and watch keeping routines are man- two decades of success with digital that stood between the veterans and power intensive, thereby contributing charts and modern track-following what appeared in the moment to be complexity to our procedures. A sim- software. Most recently, bridge man- their second warship disaster. pler elegance might possibly reduce ning has been dramatically reduced The bite of the astern pitch on the the very risks we were trying to miti- as technology has proven to be a racing propellers could be felt almost gate. trustworthy substitute for human oper- immediately as the channel edge Today, we are experiencing a con- ators. The Enhanced Naval Boarding loomed. Alarmingly, the telltale rumble fluence of events that is permitting us Party has been introduced, and the of the anchor never materialized. On to examine all aspects of our ship- requirements of a standard team this occasion, the cable party was board organizations and the proce- amended so that crew members are attentively looking back to the bridge dures we follow. The executive plan not double-tasked with boarding train- for a clear signal that the anchor was laid out by our commanders and the ing and employment duties in addition indeed required. Madly shouted shipbuilding strategy are not unrelat- to their primary job aboard ship. orders communicated the urgency of ed. Indeed, they present a golden Machinery control-room watch keep- the situation. With the swing of a opportunity to adopt increasingly pow- ing has been reduced, and the duties sledgehammer and a spin of the erful technologies, and to critically re- of a single rounds person clearly artic- brake handle the anchor was let go. evaluate the fundamentals of crewing. ulated as we adapt to the Integrated Heavy chain surged out of the ship Our Experimental Ship, or X-Ship, Platform Management System deliv- with a roar like none of us had ever program has been identified to lead ered with the Halifax Class Modern- experienced, the anchor clawing at the evaluation of the efficacy and ization. Better data-logging and more the shoaling bottom with great effect. efficiency of our many shipboard numerous CCTV cameras now watch With only yards to spare, the night- routines. over the machinery. Personnel liberat- marish dash toward a grounding was Innovation in X-Ship draws on the ed from watch keeping are being arrested. talents of our two Sea Training teams, marshalled to undertake increased Subjected to literally thousands of now combined into a single command, levels of planned and corrective hammering vibrations in the steering gear hydraulic lines, a card assembly Rear-Admiral John Newton controlling the rudder angle had failed. We had been given ample warning that an unusual situation had devel- oped in the steering system, a risk we arguably failed to account for in our preparations for the river transit. Then, in accordance with classic accident causation theory, as soon as all the critical factors had lined up – stressed machinery, speed, proximity to danger, and with hundreds of guests on board – the system had failed. This is a simple story of the drama possible in a high-powered warship. I relate it to highlight that we must be genetically wired to constantly re-eval- uate our shipboard actions, organiza- tions and standard operating proce- dures. Introspection must occur at the unit level, and more widely at a navy level. While the former has always been the case, the latter has not. In my anchor story, I examined whether the organization we employed DND Photo: www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 11 maintenance so that any risks devel- oping in the machinery are intercept- ed before failure. There are other areas to be exam- ined, including the crew requirements of cable parties, replenishment-at-sea teams, and boat launch-and-recovery teams. Boat operations have come under critical review in time to better support increased naval operations in the north. Combat drills and opera- tions room manning may very well change, subject to the performance of modernized sensors and command management systems. The potential for increased optimi- zation of our crewing structures and shipboard routines is occurring against a backdrop of other changes. We anticipate new levels of in-service support contracts to be delivered with new classes of ships. We can expect increased levels of machinery auto- mation, alarm condition sensing, and more effective damage control sys- tems. We have already learned that Pat Blanchard MCpl Photo: onboard training simulation is highly Naval engineers conduct scheduled maintenance on a piece of machinery. effective, and a standard adjunct to modern operating systems. We stand for by other measures. The tools manifests itself as an accident or near witness to improved shipboard com- needed to assess that a sailor is being miss will continue to demand our full munication technologies that funda- sent to sea with the requisite certifica- attention. Risk can also be measured in morale, attrition and career paths mentally change how we direct emer- tions, qualifications and experiential gency teams to face fire and flood. that have become too difficult. These coefficient are being built and trialed. will all need our close attention, along Concurrently, teams are re-examin- Leadership at all levels will have visi- ing the task expectations of trades with mitigating strategies inherent in bility to the readiness of ships, aggre- managed by the Royal Canadian our commander’s motto of, “People Navy. With technology, there is a nar- gating technical, personnel, and col- First, Mission Always.” That said, while rowing of the differences in the train- lective training variables into a readi- there is risk inherent in change, risk ing and onboard employment of vari- ness assessment. If we find that we itself cannot be held out as a reason ous combat operator and engineering have weakened our readiness rather not to proceed with a full and compre- trades. The Harry DeWolf-class Arctic than strengthened it, we will re-evalu- hensive assessment of where our sys- and Offshore Patrol Ships will be our ate the changes set in motion. tem can be made better. first foray into a high-voltage power Change is neither easy nor pleas- Much has already been set in plant, necessitating a review of the ant. It takes leadership courage, good motion under the clear lines of authori- training and shipboard manning by followership and ownership by our ty facilitated by functional leadership marine technicians that will serve in most experienced personnel. The authorities. Improved governance, these ships. There will be increased naval occupation analyses now under X-Ship and the experience of our most automation controlling the power plant way are a case in point, wherein our senior non-commissioned members and associated hotel machinery sys- most experienced chief petty officers are all ensuring that we are digging tems, improvements readily apparent are leading the change. The machin- deeper into institutional considerations in modern warship classes on the ery control-room watch keeping review and not simply skimming the surface. international market. Reliability fac- gained energy and constructive input The gravity of fleet recapitalization can tors, the number of personnel by senior chiefs serving in Canadian be felt, and the good news story of the required, and their organization and Sea Training Group. Revision to train- Halifax Class Modernization is an routines will change accordingly. ing was concurrently executed by unexpected bridge to walk across as Throughout all this, our proficiency engineers in the Naval Training Sys- we examine the feasibility of new will continue to be tested regularly, tem. This navy-wide focus bodes well structures and procedures. I am inspired by the veritable army first by ourselves exercising as teams for the pursuit of well-reasoned and beneficial changes. of personnel participating in this effort, to scripted serials, then by external an observation that confirms to me validators. Our corporate memory of It is an immutable fact that residual risks will exist. Risk is a constant in that we are not at all anchored in the what we formerly achieved will chal- the difficult and dangerous work at past. lenge the new arrangements to con- sea, and it is the commander’s busi- An excerpt from an article that firm that capability and effectiveness ness to decide whether to accept appeared in the Maritime Engineering have not been lost unless accounted or refuse residual risk. Risk that Journal.

12 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca Ship sponsors Ship’s sponsor Mrs. H.A. Porter, spouse of then Commander Maritime There’s more to it Command, Vice-Admiral Henry Porter, launches than smashing bottles HMCS Athabaskan in on the bow! Lauzon, Que., in 1970. by John Knoll

f you have been following your navy news lately, you will know Ithat we recently announced sponsors for the first two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships: Sophie Grégoire Trudeau for Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf, and Margaret Elizabeth Brooke for HMCS Margaret Brooke, the ship that bears her aunt’s name. With these announcements comes the natural question: what exactly were crushed under the keel of the naming ceremonies, the sponsor does a ship’s sponsor do? ship as it was launched. Fiji Islanders breaks a bottle of champagne on the Traditionally, sponsors are promi- and Samoans bathed their new ship’s bow (normally done mechani- nent women with a record of service canoes in the blood of their enemies. cally now, by pushing a button), says to the community. They have a cere- Alright – that’s enough blood the name of the ship, and asks for a monial role, but they are also encour- sacrifice. Eventually, wine became the blessing on the ship and its company. aged to maintain a connection to the symbolic stand-in for blood in naval Beyond these key early ceremonies, ship and its crew, and many do. ceremonies, as it had in religious rites some sponsors stay connected to Sponsoring a ship is similar to being more generally. And at some point their ships. The length and quality of a godparent: the sponsor takes part wine gave way to champagne, the this relationship depends on the spon- in key ceremonial events in the ship’s current beverage of choice in ship sor, but also very much on the ship’s early life. For example, at the keel launching. commanding officer (CO). laying – when assembly of the ship The toast was originally made with A standard item on every incoming truly begins – the sponsor has the a silver chalice, used just once then CO’s to-do list is to write to the ship’s duty of declaring the keel “well and thrown into the sea so it could not be sponsor to make an introduction and truly laid.” used again to make a negative toast to seek opportunities to engage and Also like a godparent, at the ship’s to the ship. It got expensive throwing involve the sponsor in the life of the christening – now known as the out all those chalices, and somewhere ship. This could include namesake city launching or naming ceremony – the around 1690 the glass bottle came or port visits, receptions, or other sponsor will break a bottle of cham- into use. events. pagne across the ship’s bow, much Standard practice was for a prince Some of our sponsors have kept like water is used in a human bap- or other male royal to smash the close ties to their ships and to the tism, to seek a protective blessing on bottle on the bow, but that changed navy for decades after performing the ship and its crew. in 1811 when the Prince Regent (the their initial ceremonial roles, and the Our current practices, like many future King George IV) invited a lady CO who makes an effort to reach out things naval, are based on a long and to do so, and the tradition of a female may well find in their ship’s sponsor a storied history. At the heart of this is sponsor has continued until today. valuable stakeholder and a loyal a set of customs that are practised (That said, there is no firm requirement member of the larger navy family. over a long enough time to become for a ship’s sponsor to be female.) John Knoll is the Heritage Officer for traditions. Worth noting: these ceremonies the Royal Canadian Navy. The idea of christening or baptizing may no longer involve death, but they a ship goes back to ancient times, have been dangerous. A wayward bot- Sources: with the general idea of making some tle once hit a spectator who then sued What You Always Wanted To Know kind of sacrifice in an attempt to seek the Admiralty. Since then, the bottle is About Naval Tradition (But Were divine protection for the ship and generally secured to the ship by a lan- Afraid To Ask), Capt(N) (Ret.) R.G. crew. The Greeks did this by dousing yard or is held fast in some mechani- Allen; Customs and Traditions of new ships in wine and water. The cal arm or other device. the Canadian Navy, Lt(N) Graeme Vikings took things a little further: they So, while the details may have Arbuckle, 1984; Customs of the Navy, are said to have christened their ships changed, the essential ceremonial LCdr A. D. Taylor, CD, RCN, 1956, with the blood of young men who elements remain. At modern ship revised 1961. www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 13 Photo: Lt(N) Diane Larose Navy Bike Ride a huge success

By Lieutenant (Navy) Diane Larose

he first annual Navy Bike Ride Ttriumphed with a sellout event that saw over 700 participants get on their bikes and ride through downtown Ottawa and Gatineau on May 20. Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, families and friends chose either a 10 km or 30 km ride to raise money for the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund and Support our Troops. As riders took to the roads they were greeted with sunny skies and Julliette Bill Photo: Lieutenant-Commander David Dallin crosses the finish line after finishing the 30 km route of some of the best views that Ottawa the Navy Bike Ride. Top right: David Wu and daughter Beatrice finish the 10 km ride. and Gatineau have to offer. Back at the finish line, in the Vélo-Village, par- Pierre-Luc Belanger-Melancon from Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, ticipants had the chance to check out 2 Canadian Division Support Group in who rode stationary bikes at sea while a variety of displays and speak with Montreal for the men’s category, and deployed in the Indo-Asia Pacific, and local members of the Royal Canadian in the women’s category it was Capt members from HMCS Cabot in Navy. Lesley Quinlan from 1 Canadian Field Newfoundland who suited up in their “My kids have never participated in Hospital Detachment in Ottawa. Each dive gear to hold their shadow ride on a ride of this size before. It was a winner received two flight vouchers stationary bikes underwater. really nice family-friendly event that from WestJet. Plans are already under way for we were able to enjoy together,” said In addition to the Navy Bike Ride next year’s Navy Bike Ride with the Doug Fountain, who took part with his that took place in the National Capital hopes of growing the event. Keep wife and their two children, aged 11 Region, there were 18 shadows rides checking the Navy Bike Ride website and 7. “The kids really liked getting throughout Canada and abroad. Some (navybikeride.ca) for photos from this their own medals at the end.” notable shadow rides came from the year’s ride and updates on what’s to “As an avid cyclist I loved that ship’s company of Her Majesty’s come next year! there was a competitive event that I could participate in as well as non- competitive rides,” said Lieutenant- Editor’s Note Commander David Dallin, who came In the Spring 2017 issue of Crowsnest the caption for the photograph at the in third in the Admiral’s Cup chal- bottom of page 8 in the article entitled “RCN occupations restructured to better lenge, a 69.3 km timed race that took support future fleet” should have mentioned that a Level 3 Verification had been place on May 21. “This was a great carried out on the cartridge case shown in the photo. event and I will definitely be back next Before performing any kind of work on a piece of ammunition (live or spent), year.” it must first undergo a Level 3 Verification by a qualified specialist (for example, The winners of the first annual a senior ammunition technician or ammunition technical officer) to ensure it is Admiral’s Cup were Captain safe. Contact your local Ammunition Depot for more information.

Senior Advisor Crowsnest is published on the authority of the Commander Royal Commander Kris Phillips Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd. Comments are welcome and Head, Navy Public Affairs can be sent to: Navy Public Affairs Senior Editor and Writer National Defence Headquarters Darlene Blakeley 11ST, 101 Colonel By Dr., K1A 0K2 Navy Public Affairs or [email protected] For the online version of this publication and for more information about the Royal Canadian Navy, visit www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Cover page: Cyclists participate in the Navy Bike Ride, held May 20 in Ottawa and Gatineau. Photo: Bill Julliette If you would like an email subscription to Crowsnest, send your request to [email protected] to be added to our list.

14 ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca