Perfect score for Winnipeg Marine Systems Engineers

Members of the Marine System Engineering department on board HMCS Winnipeg hold their career advancing qualifications certificates received from Cdr Jeffrey Hutchinson, the ship’s Commanding Officer in the centre.

SLt Jamie Tobin, HMCS Winnipeg ~

After a successful deployment on Operation Reassurance, nine members of HMCS Winnipeg’s Marine Systems Engineering (MSE) department challenged certification boards to obtain their next level of qualification and all nine were successful.

“We are overwhelmed by this clean sweep and the overall success of our team,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Justin Dunn, the Deputy MSE Officer who recently obtained his Head of Department qualification. “All of the candidates put in a lot of hard work and they are all well-deserving of their accomplishments.”

Four members obtained their Certification Level III: Engineering Officer of the Watch qualification; three members obtained their Certification Level IV: Chief Engine Room Artificer qualification, one completed Phase IV training and another obtained his Head of Department qualification.

“The Royal Canadian Navy is constantly in need of qualified engineers to sail our ships and HMCS Winnipeg has certainly done more than its fair share to support the fleet,” said Commander Jeff Hutchinson, Winnipeg’s Commanding Officer.

Four members from Canadian Fleet Pacific’s engineering staff embarked on Winnipeg during the ship’s port visit in Singapore and sailed with the ship for eight days to conduct the boards.

“The candidates were well prepared and they all impressed us with their performance. They made our job on board quite easy,” said Lieutenant-Commander Robert Petitpas, the Damage Control Division Commander and one of the board members.

In addition to the nine new qualifications in recent weeks, seven members of the ship’s MSE department achieved their Auxiliary Machinery Operators Certificate and nine members received their Certification Level 2: Machinery Console Operator certification during the ship’s deployment totalling 22 new qualifications for Winnipeg throughout the deployment. Additionally four Electrical Technicians completed their Qualification Level 3 and four Hull Technicians completed their Qualification Level 4.

“It feels really great to receive this qualification after putting so much effort into my training over the past seven and a half months,” Petty Officer Second Class Brandon Lawrence, a newly promoted Engineering Officer of the Watch.  “Now I can just focus on the tasks at hand and advancing my skills.”

 “Bravo Zulu to the all of the newly qualified stokers,” says Cdr Hutchinson. “Winnipeg has truly taken Marine Systems Engineering force generation to a new level.