Lead Line Naval Association of Vancouver Island Newsletter

March 2018 • Volume 33, Issue 2 OP CARIBBE CALLS AGAIN

DND photo HMCS Whitehorse departs Esquimalt, B.C., for Operation Caribbe. Whitehorse and HMCS Edmonton will be patrolling the Eastern Pacific Ocean with U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachments on board. See page 7 for the whole story.

INSIDE President's Message...... 2 In Brief...... 7 Veterans Corner...... 4 Navy working to recruit women...... 8 Federal government funds Sackville repairs...... 5 RCN hosts "Ideas hack-a-thon"...... 10 NRU Asterix receives ship's badge...... 6 New employment tool for veterans...... 12 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE CHARITABLE PROJECTS A SPRING PRIORITY Welcome to spring, a time will be pleased to accept your education opportunities and of renewal and optimism as support. Charitable receipts more social aspects of being we chart our course forward. are given as a part of your a member, while nationally Last week we had an excel- annual contributions. Please we focus on education about, lent luncheon and enjoyed a make sure cheques are iden- and support for, our navy. The clear and informed briefing tified as being for the project national NAC News, which from Commander Michelle and if you leave cash, have is pulled together by Rod Tessier on construction prog- it in an envelope with your Hughes—who recently took ress and training underway name on it so we can prop- over for the excellent job done with the AOPS program. erly credit you. We will keep by past National President At our last board meeting, you posted on how we are Jim Carruthers—is a valued we agreed to develop a doing as the spring unfolds. part of that process. NAC is Bill Conconi NAC-VI support program The goal is to have all funds well positioned to support our for Broadmead Lodge. We in place for the May 10th Affairs Coordinator as well navy and we look forward to already provide support Charity Golf Tournament. as a Research Coordinator. that challenge. through our national Endow- NAC-VI Director David Check out “Naval Affairs” on Finally, for now, our next ment Fund and by acting as a Cooper is well underway in our website for details and Luncheon speaker will be Joe local sponsor (in a small way) his planning for a special up-to-date information on O’Rourke, Vice-President and for the Charity Golf Tourna- dinner to be held—mess din- this. Look for more on this General Manager of Seaspan, ment. In addition to this, we ner style—on Oct. 20, 2018, in the next issue when these who will be reporting on their are looking to fund needed Niobe Day. It will be held at coordinators will be in place program here on the West improvements to resident the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the program underway. Coast and their progress on rooms at the Lodge as a part with the theme being HMCS Our membership drive is the National Shipbuilding of the “Make Room Cam- Rainbow, the light Cruiser, ongoing. Thank you to all who Strategy. It is our hope to fol- paign”. This costs $1,600 per circa 1910. Mark your calen- have renewed. In addition to low this later with a tour of room and there is currently a dars as it is sure to be a great the services and information their operations, here and in matching grant opportunity. evening. you receive, membership also Vancouver. The luncheon is If we raise enough for one National Director, Ian Park- provides an ideal opportunity scheduled for March 22 at room, we effectively do two, er, our Director Naval Affairs, to support our navy. Our local Royal Victoria Yacht Club two become four, etc. Dona- has launched our drive to branch and national each play (details below). I look forward tions can be made online, by develop resources in our area. different roles and you are a to seeing you there. cheque, or in cash at our lun- To this end, he is looking to member of both. Locally, we Yours Aye, cheons where our Treasurer retain the services of a Naval focus on comradeship, local Bill

March 22 - $30 Joe O’Rourke, Vice President and General Manager Seaspan, will present on the Naval Shipbuilding Strategy here on the West Coast. April 26 - $30 UPCOMING Captain (retired) Alex Reuben, Executive Director, Association of LUNCHEONS British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI). All luncheons are at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road (Cadboro Bay) Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at 12:15 p.m. Confirm your attendance and convey any dietary concerns to Diana Dewar, 250-655-6788 or [email protected].

2 • LEAD LINE & NAC VI NEWS

SPECIAL VISITOR NAC VI's February luncheon had a special guest: Commander Michelle Tessier, Commanding Officer desig- nate for HMCS Margaret Brooke, the second AOPS due to roll out this year. She leaves this summer for Halifax to continue her arctic training and to help with the completion of the vessel. To her right is Rear (retired) Nigel Greenwood, who is currently working on his Ice Naviga- tion credentials and has spent the last few summers in the arctic as well. On the left is Commander (retired) Rod Hughes, Vice-President NAC-VI.

NAC-VI Executive Committee

President Bill Conconi [email protected] 250-652-1634 Past President Michael Morres [email protected] 250-592-8897 Vice President Rod Hughes [email protected] 250-472-8905 Secretary Mike Brossard [email protected] 250-544-1425 Treasurer Peter Bey [email protected] 250-652-2225 Membership Services Bill Macdonald [email protected] 250-661-3731 Director at Large Diana Dewar [email protected] Director at Large David Cooper [email protected] 250-472-8905 Director at Large Patrick Hunt [email protected] Director at Large Steve White [email protected] 250-652-8215

special appointments

Editor Carmel Ecker [email protected] 250-661-1269 Photography John Webber [email protected] 250-920-4159 Historian Stan Parker [email protected] 250-734-3360 Webmaster Eric Griffiths [email protected] 250-537-0608

Naval Association of Canada – Vancouver Island (NAC-VI) mailing address: P.O. Box 5221, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 6N4

LEAD LINE • 3 & VETERANS CORNER POSITIVE CHANGE: PENSION FOR LIFE FOR VETERANS By Rod Hughes That said, the Pension for Life Minister’s personable, frank, A sea change has happened has consolidated six benefits and knowledgeable explana- with VAC pensions and by introducing the Income tion of the changes…dou- hardly anyone seems to have Replacement Benefit, Pain & bly so, given that he has no noticed! Suffering Compensation, and military service and is rel- On Dec. 20, 2017, the Fed- Additional Pain & Suffering atively new to the Veterans eral Government announced Compensation. The VAC portfolio. that VAC pensions would go website explains the changes: What I hadn’t realized was back to the way they were www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/ that accompanying him on for so many years with the services/pension-for-life his travels was his Deputy reintroduction of a monthly In order to better get the Minister (DM), General (re- pension. A key element of Pension for Life word out tired) . the reintroduction is the to CAF veterans, Minister What a bonus his involve- Rod Hughes retroactive offer for those of Veterans Affairs, Sea- ment is! It was evident that veterans who were given a mus O’Regan, undertook a the DM hasn't lost any of his ened by both the Minister’s payout under the old plan. cross-country trip in January positive leadership style or and Deputy Minister’s gen- This is very good news. to explain the changes and zeal for doing the right thing, uine commitment to getting Additionally, the term “re- to address any issues veter- which he exhibited while he support for veterans back introduction” is an over sim- ans may have. The local VAC was in uniform. onto an even keel. plification of the changes the office invited Bill Conconi It was clear during the I know there are issues government has enacted. So and me, along with represen- discussion that the General when implementing new it’s worthwhile for both older tatives of other stakeholder had been intimately involved policies and that there are and more recent veterans organizations, to attend the in the veterans consultation veterans who the policies to take a look at what the round table discussion held process that took place be- may not support properly. If changes mean as well as at the VAC office in Victoria. fore the policy development. you are one of those people, I what the new elements of the The Minister explained that His steady hand was also on encourage you to contact pension plan cover. the late year announcement the formulation and details local VAC staff to work Please note that many of happened in order to meet of the new policies. through the issue. our ex-service members a deadline from a federal Time will tell, but there The new policies seem to are “grandfathered” to even election promise the Liberal seems to have been a positive be a step in the right direc- earlier programs and these party made. change in the institutional tion. BZ to the Minister and changes don’t apply to them. I was impressed by the attitude of VAC. I was heart- VAC staff for listening.

Membership Renewal Did you serve in the or the • Renew quickly and easily online at www.nac-vi.ca. Go Royal Canadian Mounted Police? to “Membership” and select “Membership Sign Up and Are you also part of the Renewals” and complete the form. The online payment process is simple and secure. LGBTQ2 community? • Mail in a cheque. Printable membership forms are Do you have a service-related injury available on the website under "Membership". and previously did not apply for or were Note that the opportunity to donate online to one of the groups we support is not completed as part of the unaware of benefits for which you may online renewal form. Instead, under "Membership", have been entitled? click on "Donate" and follow the prompts. Please contact VAC toll-free at If you have questions, call Membership Director, Bill Macdonald, at 250-661-3731. 1-800-487-7797 for more information.

4 • LEAD LINE & HISTORY PACIFIC FLEET CLUB SET TO RELOCATE The Pacific Fleet Club, home to the Junior Ranks Mess, will be closing its doors later this year due to structural concerns. The iconic seaside building has served as the primary social hub and gathering spot for non-commissioned sailors, soldiers and aviators for the past 40 years. The decision to close the facility was based on an engineering report that revealed flaws in beams that support the ocean-side portion of the building. It's estimated repairs would cost upwards of $8.5 million. FUNDING FOR REPAIRS The decision to move the club was announced in a base-wide email by Base TO HMCS SACKVILLE Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, just ahead of the holiday break. By Ryan Melanson her decks, hold artifacts in their Naden Building 40 will become the tempo- Canada’s last Flower-class cor- hands, and learn about an import- rary home of the Pacific Fleet Club late this vette will receive extensive repairs ant chapter in Canadian history,” year while options for a permanent replace- this summer with the federal gov- said Brison, who was joined at ment home are considered. ernment announcing a contribu- the jetty by Dartmouth Cole Har- President of the Mess Committee, Master tion of up to $3.5 million to the bour MP Darren Fisher; mem- Seaman Daniel Clarke says they are no longer Canadian Naval Memorial Trust bers of the CNMT; RAdm Craig booking large events such as weddings and (CNMT) and HMCS Sackville. Baines, Commander MARLANT other private ceremonies due to uncertainty Work on the ship will mainly be and JTFA; and Capt(N) Stéphane over the timeline of the move. completed at Fleet Maintenance Lafond, CO of FMF Cape Scott. Naden Building 40, located behind the CFB Facility Cape Scott, and the RCN “But as a vessel commissioned in Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, cur- will be responsible for managing the 1941, and one that served through rently serves as headquarters for three units contribution agreement to cover fierce battles, she is weathered and including Joint Personnel Support Unit. the repair costs including labour, she needs a lot of repair,” he said, MS Clarke says the temporary home will be materials and subcontracting. while crediting the work of the slightly smaller and more intimate than its Brison spoke about the impor- CNMT since 1983, along with the predecessor. tance of maintaining the ship, navy, in keeping the ship main- The building will be re-worked to include a which served during the Battle of tained and open for visitors up patio area, media room and lower bar. Several the Atlantic and famously engaged until this point. items from the Lyall St. location, such as the three German U-boats in a 24-hour “HMCS Sackville gives veterans, Fleet Club’s quartz-top bar and furnishings, period during the summer of 1942. their families, and the rest of us a artwork and historical artifacts will be moved Sackville was designated Canada’s place to pay tribute to those who to the location. Naval Memorial in 1985, and fought for the freedoms we enjoy is berthed next to the Maritime today. This an investment we are Museum of the Atlantic during proud to make,” he said. summer months, where it hosts Sackville is currently at its winter tours and supports different naval berth near Jetty NC at the dock- and community functions. yard. Tours and visits to the ship “Being able to board a ship that will now be discontinued while actually served in these battles, assessments begin ahead of the and now exists as a living memo- repair work. rial and treasured museum, is Article courtesy of Trident very valuable. People walk along Newspaper LEAD LINE • 5 & FLEET NEWS ASTERIX RECEIVES UNIT PATCH ASTERIX WON'T By PO1 Stephan Handerek, Naval ENTER THREAT Replenishment Unit ASTERIX In late July, the crew of NRU Asterix ENVIRONMENTS was encouraged to create an original piece of art that would become the With weapons and other sensi- unit patch for Canada’s newest asset. tive equipment now being installed NRU Asterix’s CO, LCdr Jason Walsh, on NRU Asterix, the navy is nearly received multiple submissions from ready to put the vessel into use, but the crew, each accompanied with an there will be limitations on what the explanation for their significance. ship can do, says Commodore Craig Of the designs submitted, one stood Skjerpen, Commander of Canada’s out amongst all others, not only for its Atlantic Fleet. detailed artwork, but for the thought Because the ship isn’t a true military that went into how the design related vessel, he says, it won’t be allowed to to the operational capability Asterix operate in dangerous environments. will afford the RCN and CAF. naval operations during peacetime Canada will continue to rely on its al- Asterix is a converted commercial and wartime sailing. The sheathed lies in those situations until two new container ship owned and operated sword specifically represents the ship’s Protecteur class military resupply by Federal Fleet Services. It will serve ability to support in times of crisis vessels are built, with a projected as an interim AOR for the Royal and the unsheathed sword represents delivery date of 2022. Canadian Navy. Canadian Armed the fact that Asterix can support Davie Shipbuilding, which com- Forces Mission Specialist (CAF MS) Canada and its allies while deployed. pleted the ship’s conversion from will embark Asterix, which may be The horn symbolizes the call for sup- a container ship late last year, took tasked to fulfil multiple roles on be- port that Asterix will answer when issue with the navy's claim, saying half of the Government of Canada, supporting all three elements of the it was the navy’s choice of guns for from replenishments at sea to CAF while the gold shield represents the vessel that prevents it from being humanitarian assistance. a symbol of light in the darkness, and capable in a threat situation. On Nov. 16, VAdm , the protection given to Canadians Davie says the ship has been out- Commander RCN, officially ap- and its allies by Asterix’s mixed crew fitted with navigation and other proved the design submitted by LS of CAF MS and civilian staff. systems that will be installed on Patey, LS Williams and AB Williams The unit patch will be worn by all future vessels and the company has as the unit patch for the NRU. The CAF MS posted to NRU Asterix in insurance coverage for Asterix to three boatswains worked on the place of a traditional ship’s crest. As operate in high risk environments. concept together. NRU Asterix is not a commissioned It’s expected Asterix will be ready lat- The patch depicts an ancient navy ship, the unit patch does not er this month and undergo some final Germanic warrior with two swords have the distinctive shape associated sea trials before sailing to the Pacific for and a horn on a background of blue with commissioned ships’ crests. a deployment of up to six months. and white waves. The two swords Article courtesy of the Trident represent the ability to support Newspaper

The reconfigured Asterix conducts RAS trials off Nova Scotia.

6 • LEAD LINE & OPERATIONS DEPARTURE MARKS 12TH YEAR OF OP CARIBBE By Sub-Lieutenant M.X. Déry Year 12 of Operation CARIBBE is set to begin with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Edmonton and Whitehorse leading the charge. The two ships left their home port of Esquimalt, B.C., in mid February. Last year, the Canadian Armed Forces contributed to the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) seizing or disrupting approximately 11.5 metric tonnes of illicit drugs. The Commanding Officer of Edmon- ton, Lieutenant-Commander Brian Hen- wood, is looking forward to heading south to conduct interdiction operations. “This is a great opportunity to get over the horizon and to effect things down range,” he says. Photo by MARPAC Imaging Services The Executive Officer on board HMCS Edmonton salutes as the ship exits the harbour LCdr Collin Forsberg, Commanding to participate in Operation Caribbe. Officer of Whitehorse, agrees with him, saying the operation has a real impact on part of the record almost 500,000 pounds With a fresh paint job, Whitehorse the people back home. that was interdicted in 2017, worth about departs home port with a bare bridge “It is very rewarding working with the $6.6 billion U.S., a part of today’s offload wing, while Edmonton proudly wears USCG. This is a mission that makes life is also a direct involvement of Canadian seven snowflakes earned on previous better for Canadians.” participation.” deployments. LCdr Forsberg has deployed twice At the end of a ship’s deployment, the The objectives of the upcoming mis- before on this operation. USCG tallies up the amount of drugs sion are clear and there seems to be no Recently, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, seized or disrupted by each ship and hint of rivalry between the commanding Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific, awards them with crossed out snow- officers. spoke to media in San Diego, Calif., flakes to add to their bridge wings. The “We are down there to support each during the offload of cocaine seized in the snowflakes serve to recognize hard work other,” says LCdr Henwood. “One ship’s last two months of operations in 2017. and instill a sense of pride in the ship’s success is a success for the team.” “Just as today’s offload represents a company. Article courtesy of Lookout Newspaper

TWEETS WORTH SHARING Navy terminology

A'COCK BILL 1. Out of alignment or awry. 2. May also refer to the anchor cleared of the hawse, up and down and ready for letting go. CANYON NATO codeword meaning to use electronic jamming on radar frequency indicated, or in accordance with previous orders. From "Jackspeak of the " by Mark Nelson. Available in print and Kindle formats on Amazon.ca. New edition available October 2018.

LEAD LINE • 7 & IN BRIEF HAIDA TO BE NAMED RCN FLAGSHIP Minister of National Defence Harjit Haida was paid off in 1963 and is Sajjan announced in January that HMCS currently a museum ship and National Haida will be named Flagship of the Historic Site alongside Hamilton, ON. Royal Canadian Navy in 2018. Project Naval Distinction is now peti- The announcement was in response to tioning for the Commander of the Royal a petition started by Project Naval Dis- Canadian Navy to be named the Hon- tinction Founder and Executive Director, orary Captain of Haida. The organiza- Patrick White. tion would also like to have a ceremony “Recognition of HMCS Haida—the during Veterans’ Week in November. ‘fightingest’ ship in Canadian history—as Project Naval Distinction has also the Royal Canadian Navy Flagship has submitted two designs for circulation Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper been a prime objective of Project Naval currency coins, which they hope will Deborah Morrow makes a $5,000 donation to Cockrell House, represented Distinction and is a symbolic way of hon- be produced in time for the Flagship by Chairman Angus Stanfield. ouring her incredible story,” White said. ceremony. TRIPLE DONATION TO COCKRELL HOUSE Cockrell House, which provides tran- sitional housing to homeless and at-risk veterans, has received a total of $15,000 from three donors. Deborah Morrow, Verity Health Re- sources Chief Executive Officer, donated Photo By Balcer~commonswiki - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ her Canada’s Volunteer Award cash prize index.php?curid=1425622 to the charity, which was followed by matching donations from the West Shore Poppy Fund of Royal Canadian Legion ATHABASKAN DISPOSAL CONTRACT AWARDED Branch 91 and the Greater Victoria Procurement Canada has awarded Afghanistan Memorial Project. Marine Recycling Corp. a $5.7-mil- Morrow received her award in Ottawa lion contract to dispose of HMCS Dec. 5 on UNESCO’s International Day Athabaskan. of the Volunteer for her 35 years cham- The Ontario company will remove all pioning the cause of youth and homeless hazardous waste and recycle the ship's veterans. remains at its Sydport Industrial Park “This money will be put into use im- facility. mediately to fund our program and as- It's expected the project will be sist veterans who need our help now,” complete by July 2019. said Angus Stanfield, Cockrell House The company also has a $12.6- Chairman. million federal tender to dismantle The 11-bed multiplex on Sooke Road the auxiliary oiler replacement has provided a place to live, food, coun- ship HMCS Preserver and former selling, social services and transporta- research vessel CFAV Quest. tion to over 70 residents since it opened Marine Recycling Corp. was the first its doors in 2009. ISO-certified company doing this sort the four Iroquois-class destroyers. For information about how to support of work and is the oldest ship recycler The Iroquois-class will be replaced by Cockrell House with cash donations in the world. up to 15 Canadian surface combatants. or non-perishable items contact Agnus HMCS Athabaskan is currently The delivery of the first vessel is expect- Stanfield at [email protected]. docked at CFB Halifax, and is the last of ed in the mid-2020s. 8 • LEAD LINE & RECRUITING RCN BUILDING NEW BRIDGES WITH WOMEN By Peter Mallett The Canadian Armed Forces’ efforts to beef up the number of women in the military was greatly enhanced recently by the Achieve Anything Foundation. Using HMCS Ottawa as an enticement platform, 120 girls and women of all ages crossed the ship’s brow in January for a day sail around Vancouver’s harbour and the Strait of Georgia. For most, this was their first encounter with a Canadian warship and its crew. Sailors were prepared for their guests with special displays laid out in the han- gar and in the ship, and an itinerary of tours and spectacles to keep everyone wide-eyed and asking questions. The played a role by flying an Aurora maritime patrol Low numbers of women in senior for defence, science and technology aircraft overhead as part of a search and management or command positions and industries to crack,” Brazier says. “If you rescue demonstration. highly skilled trades in organizations want to get women fired up, you need to “Promoting the navy to future gen- such as the Canadian Armed Forces is make them see there is a really awesome erations is very important to everyone why Brazier pushes for change through experience to be had on a warship.” on the defence team,” said Commander positive actions instead of rhetoric. She She adds, “I don’t want to hear wom- Alex Barlow, Ottawa’s Commanding Of- is a big believer in hands-on experience en saying we need more women in the ficer. “Seeing the smiles on everyone’s and concentrates her work on this aspect military or emergency services. I want to faces brought great pride to all of the of promotion. hear more men step up and, like [Chief of sailors who work aboard Ottawa, and For the Ottawa day sail, she marketed Defence Staff] General , we are hoping those who joined us will it with the slogan: “Ladies, come drive say: ‘We want to build a diverse team that share their experiences with friends and this ship.” includes more women’.” family.” “Women are a tough demographic Article courtesy of Lookout newspaper The Achieve Anything Foundation was formed to create year-round projects and programs that inspire female future leaders in science, technology, engineer- ing and math (STEM), and STEM-based fields such as aviation, aerospace, marine and defence. It was founded by Kirsten Brazier, an aviation professional with over 25-years’ experience in the com- mercial aviation industry as a fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter pilot. The 47-year- old founded the registered non-profit in 2016, but its roots go back to 2012 with its signature event The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! The annual event, held in conjunction with various agency, indus- try and education partners is expecting over 20,000 visitors in 2018. LEAD LINE • 9 & TECHNOLOGY RCN HOSTS “IDEAS HACK-A-THON” IN TORONTO As Canadian academics, scientists and of AI into the daily work of its sailors, Canada’s fast-growing AI sector. If we entrepreneurs continue to push the en- whether at sea or at home. succeed in this effort, our sailors will be velope in the research and commercial- A volunteer “crew” was drawn from better prepared than ever to fulfill our ization of technologies associated with an invited pool of Ontario-based aca- mission on behalf of Canada, and we’ll Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Royal Ca- demics, entrepreneurs, scientists and have the pleasure of helping Canadian nadian Navy (RCN) hosted its first-ever students with an expertise or affinity for entrepreneurs take their companies to “Ideas Hack-a-thon” on Feb. 10 in part- various applications of AI. The “crew” the next level.” nership with Techstars Toronto. included officers of the RCN’s Naval The “crew” was asked to generate prac- The “Ideas Hack-a-thon” was facilitated Reserve unit in Toronto, HMCS York, tical applications of AI in four distinct by Sunil Sharma, Managing Director of as well as key leaders of the RCN’s Otta- areas of relevance to the RCN: Techstars Toronto, a local entrepreneur- wa-based information technology team. • Administration / database analysis ial accelerator. It engaged more than a The participation of Reserve and • Recruiting dozen local entrepreneurs, all of whom Regular Force members was invaluable • Training are active in the AI sector. Sharma is a to their fellow “crew” members as they • Defensive undersea warfare former Canadian Foreign Service Offi- shared personal experiences at sea in “We appreciated the opportunity to cer who cut his teeth in the Canadian humanitarian, search and rescue, and work with Admiral Lloyd and his sailors start-up ecosystem as a Managing Part- NATO-led missions. in this unique setting,” said Sharma. “I ner of Extreme Venture Partners. “If we are going to continue to be know our Techstars entrepreneurs, as Also participating was Mark Mc- the most rapidly deployable and versa- well as the Massey College family, were Queen, an Honorary Captain of the tile instrument of national power, the energized by the opportunity to work RCN and President and Executive RCN needs to ensure that we continue with Canada’s Navy on some interesting Managing Director of CIBC Innovation to adapt to the ever-changing land- AI challenges. As an Angel investor and Banking. scape,” said Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, entrepreneur, the RCN could represent The goal was to gather a diverse group Commander, RCN. “Through this ‘Ideas the perfect anchor client for many of of individuals in an effort to help the Hack-a-thon’, we are hoping to harness Canada’s most promising early stage AI RCN introduce practical applications some of the energy and ingenuity in start-ups.”

NEW REMOTELY-OPERATED FIREBOATS FOR PORTS Vancouver-based naval ar- situation. chitects and marine engineers In a press release about the Robert Allan Ltd., and inter- new vessel, Kongsberg said its national marine technology control and communications specialist Kongsberg Mari- system will feature “a robust time are developing an ad- high-bandwidth, low latency vanced fireboat that will allow wireless link to a semi-por- humans to take on danger- table RALamander operator ous fire situations from a safe console that can be locat- distance. ed on a manned fireboat, or These situations could in- other vessel of opportunity or future-upgradable to suit Additionally, RALamander clude fires involving contain- such as a tug or pilot boat. In the operator or port’s evolving has a towing capacity that ers, petrochemicals, shore- common with other KONGS- needs.” will allow it to move a burn- side structures or vessels, in BERG autonomous control The vessel’s low profile de- ing vessel if it’s a threat to its which toxic smoke or explo- systems, the versatile archi- sign will allow it to attack un- surroundings. sions are a possibility. tecture of RALamander’s con- der-wharf and marina fires, The first vessel in the series The vessel, called the RAL- trol system will leave the door and a retractable mast will en- has a total pumping capacity amander, can be manned or open to a range of autonomy able it to attack shipboard or of 2400 m3/hr with optional unmanned depending on the levels, which are configurable dock fires from a high point. foam. 10 • LEAD LINE & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS New phone app could save lives

A new smartphone app is set to turn B.C. by- WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF A standers into potential life-savers should a sudden cardiac arrest occur in a public place. TSUNAMI HITS VICTORIA B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) has ? launched the free PulsePoint application through- Following a January tsunami warning, it's worth looking at what the out the province. It provides vital information in possibility of a tsunami means for the Greater Victoria area. the case of cardiac arrest, where minutes count in A tsunami is most often caused by an earthquake-induced movement reducing suffering and preventing death. of the ocean floor; however, rapid displacement of water, landslides, Smartphone users with PulsePoint are connected volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts can also cause them. Tsuna- to the BCEHS emergency dispatch system. When mis have greater force than a breaking wave or a swell. a sudden cardiac arrest is reported at a p­ublic Because it's location is location through 9-1-1, dispatchers can send the protected, Victoria does not location to people with mobile devices within short face as high a risk of a dam- walking distance. A user with training in cardio- aging tsunami as other areas pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can then go to the of Vancouver Island, though patient and begin CPR while paramedics are en low lying areas such as the route. Gorge, James Bay and Fish- The smartphone alert also shows users a map erman's Wharf could experi- pinpointing the location of nearby portable pub- ence a slow water level rise of lic defibrillators, which is another tool the general 1.5 to 3 metres. public can use safely before paramedics arrive. Tsunami modelling of our B.C. is the first to have a province-wide program region after a magnitude 9.0 for this public notification service. PulsePoint earthquake has shown that also operates in an Ontario municipality and in a the maximum water level number of U.S. counties and cities. will be 3 metres with a max- What to do if there's an earthquake. The effectiveness of PulsePoint will be studied imum water flow speed of 1 in B.C. and other parts of Canada and the U.S. metre per second. In comparison, the 2011 Tohoku tsunami in Japan to determine whether the app increases public had a maximum water level of 40 metres with a maximum water flow participation in cardiac arrest resuscitation. speed of 12 metres per second. B.C. is expected to take part in this randomized, Victoria does not use a siren system for tsunami warnings because controlled research trial starting this year. of this low risk. Instead, the city uses Vic-Alert, which notifies resi- The PulsePoint app can be downloaded from the dents in potentially affected areas via text and email that a tsunami is Apple Store for iOS and from Google Play Store for on its way. That electronic system is backed up by a crew of emergency Android OS. responders who will go door-to-door to make sure everyone gets to Quick Facts: higher ground safely. 3 Minutes — The amount of time after a sudden What to do during an earthquake cardiac arrest after which brain damage occurs if When an earthquake occurs, Drop, Cover and Hold On until immediate help is not available. Sudden cardiac the shaking stops. Count to 60 and then move away from beaches arrest occurs without notice and leaves patients and low-lying areas to higher ground immediately. Higher ground unconscious. means two blocks inland from beaches and waterways or to the 7,101: The number of cardiac arrests BCEHS third floor of a building. If an earthquake lasts for more than 60 paramedics responded seconds or makes it difficult to stand, move away from low-lying to in 2017 areas and beaches as a tsunami may follow. 25%: Bystanders per- Signs of a Tsunami formed CPR in approx- Signs of a tsunami may include the ocean receding, a sudden rise or imately 25 per cent of fall in sea level, or a roaring sound coming from the ocean. Evacuate these cases. to higher ground immediately if you experience any of these signs. 10%: The approximate To be alerted as soon as there is a serious risk of a tsunami, sign up survival rate beyond 30 for Vic-Alert, and receive alerts and updates by text, phone or email days for sudden cardiac on emergencies that may impact you. Visit www.victoria.ca/EN/ arrest in B.C. main/residents/public-safety/emergency-preparedness/vic-alert.html LEAD LINE • 11 & NATIONAL NEWS NEW ONLINE CAREER TOOL FOR VETERANS Members of the Canadian career. The site will then pro- Affairs Canada (VAC), and with possible public service Armed Forces (CAF) have duce a matching civilian occu- Employment and Social Devel- opportunities that match their a new tool to help facilitate pation and job description, as opment Canada (ESDC). skills and education, and also their transition into the well as a link to relevant civil- The online tool, based on a works with managers from civilian workforce. ian employment opportunities United States Department of across the public service to MNET, which officiallyin the Government of Cana- Labor application, was creat- promote the training and launched Oct. 16, 2017, is a da’s Job Bank. ed and customized for Cana- experiences of Canadian free online career transition Employers can also use dian military needs in large veterans for employment. tool that matches military MNET, which can help them part using existing resources Other components for occupations with civilian understand military occupa- and therefore at a low cost of MNET, such as a military occupations and job open- tions and lets them post fore- $18,000. skills translator and a mobile ings. MNET is short for Mil- casted job openings specifical- In addition to MNET, veter- app, will be introduced in the itary Occupational Structure ly for veterans. ans also have access to VAC’s coming months to continue ID (MOSID) to National MNET is the result of coor- Veterans in the Public Ser- enhancing member readiness Occupational Classificationdinated efforts by the CAF’s vice Unit, which was formed for a successful military to (NOC) Equivalency Tool. Directorate of Casualty Sup- to help veterans navigate the civilian transition. To use MNET, CAF mem- port Management, the Military federal public service hiring Access to MNET is now bers and veterans enter infor- Personnel Generation Learn- process. This new unit assists available at http://caface-rfacace. mation about their military ing Support Centre, Veterans veterans by providing them forces.gc.ca/mnet-oesc/

eme 6th Annual 6 Battle of the Atlantic Dîner de Gala de la Gala Dinner Bataille de L’Atlantique

Thursday, May 3, 2018 Le jeudi 3 mai 2018 Location: The Canadian War Museum Locale : Musée canadien de la guerre Reception: 1800 to 1900 Cocktail : 18h à 19h Dinner: 1900 to 2200 Dîner : 19h à 22h Chaque année, nous nous rassemblons pour Every year, we gather to commemorate the commémorer la plus longue campagne de la Battle of the Atlantic; Canada’s longest military Seconde Guerre mondiale – la Bataille de l’Atlantique engagement of the Second World War.

Dress Tenue Militaires et anciens Serving & Retired Military: Mess Dress combattants : Tenue de Mess Civilian: Black tie Civile : cravate noire TICKETS: $100 each BILLETS : 100 $ chacun For more information please visit or email: Pour de plus informations, consultez le site https://nac-o.wildapricot.org/BOA2018 suivant (en anglais seulement) ou par courriel: [email protected] https://nac-o.wildapricot.org/BOA2018 [email protected]

Hosted by The Naval Association of Canada Supported by the Royal Canadian Navy Organisé par L’Association navale du Canada Soutenu par la Marine royale canadienne