Vancouver on WestPloy ‘16

Commercial shipping traffic transits the Saigon River past HMCS Vancouver in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Oct. 20.

Lt(N) Paul Pendergast, MARPAC Public Affairs ~

Since departing its home port of Esquimalt in June, HMCS Vancouver has operated extensively throughout the Pacific region, including participation in large-scale multi-national exercises RIMPAC, held in July in the Hawaii area, and Kakadu, hosted by Australia in September.

Two weeks into October the ship arrived in Singapore for the first goodwill port visit of WestPloy 16 on Oct. 11. Vancouver’s deployment is aimed at building strong ties between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the navies of Asia-pacific countries, while also promoting peace and security in the region.

After all the routine tasks such as hooking up shore power and landing gash were completed, the crew were able to explore the city. They were impressed by the modern, efficient, and prosperous city-state.

With about the same area and population as greater Toronto, Singapore is the world’s second busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage (Shanghai is the busiest). Located strategically in the Malacca Strait connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, the booming metropolis is jam packed with gleaming glass and steel skyscrapers.

The ship hosted a reception, welcoming business and government leaders to tour the newly modernized frigate and enjoy some Canadian hospitality.

There was also time for unofficial efforts to make a positive difference in the community. Twenty members of the crew visited a school at the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore. They spent a morning with students playing games and singing songs.

Petty Officer Second Class Stephen Rownd, coordinator of the activity, said, “I was surprised how quickly some crew members jumped into the games, even though they had never done this before. We were really touched by the experience.”

Vancouver also hosted an academic roundtable of local security experts while in Singapore as part of the deployment outreach agenda.

Attendee Dr. Jim Boutilier, Special Advisor to Maritime Forces Pacific on Asia-Pacific issues reported that, “The roundtable provided an opportunity to engage Singapore’s leading defence and security specialists in a far-ranging and candid exchange of views about the increasingly complex and disturbing developments that are rendering the security environment in the seas of East Asia more dangerous and problematic.”

After four days alongside in Singapore, Vancouver slipped and proceeded to their next port of call, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, arriving Oct. 18. There was another reception where local officials were hosted on the ship, and another academic roundtable was held with Vietnamese security experts.

The crew wasted no time exploring the huge city of 10 million people, with a rapidly growing economy, plenty of restaurants, and shopping galore.

The Vietnamese people are known for their warmth and generosity, and the crew experienced that warmth.

“I love the culture and the people here,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Jeff Scheerer. “They are hands-down the nicest people I have met on this deployment.”

More than 20 members of the crew visited a shelter for homeless children, where they rolled up their sleeves and painted some of the buildings, before putting down the paint brushes and joining the kids in a friendly soccer game.

The Commanding Officer of Vancouver, Commander Clive Butler, and Chief Petty Officer First Class Tim Blonde, Coxswain, visited SOS Children’s Villages in Ho Chi Minh City to present a cheque for $5,000 on behalf of the Boomer’s Legacy Fund.

Boomer’s Legacy was created after Corporal Andrew “Boomer” Eykelenboom, a Canadian Forces medic, was killed in Afghanistan, Aug. 11, 2006. Eykelenboom was committed to saving lives. His death was the catalyst to creating this Foundation that helps men and women in uniform make a positive difference in the lives of others, therefore helping themselves in the process.

SOS Children’s Villages mission is to provide a loving and supportive family for any child that does not have one. There are 17 SOS Children’s Villages facilities in Ho Chi Minh City caring for almost 3,000 children.

“It is a great honour for us to present this cheque on behalf of Boomer’s Legacy, and I know you will put it to good use after seeing these children and the care you are providing,” said Cdr Butler.

Commodore Jeff Zwick, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, joined the ship in Ho Chi Minh City, leading the academic roundtable and meeting with senior leaders of Vietnam’s navy and military.

“HMCS Vancouver has served as an excellent ambassador for Canada during these visits to Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, both by the professionalism of the crew, and by showcasing the enhanced capabilities of a post Halifax-Class Modernization warship,” said Cmdre Zwick.

After departing Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 21, the next port visits will be in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to Esquimalt via Fiji and Hawaii, arriving home in time for Christmas.

Commander Clive Butler (left), Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, and Chief Petty Officer First Class Tim Blonde (right), Coxswain, present a donation of $5,000 on behalf of the Boomer’s Legacy Fund to Dang Thi Huong (center), Director of SOS Children’s Villages.