Experience the Navy in James Bay come to the HMCS Malahat Open House

Photo by: Lt(N) Anne Gardam CPO1 Shanna Wilson encourages the public to visit HMCS Malahat on Jan 31 2015.

For the first time in over 10 years, HMCS Malahat, Victoria’s naval reserve division, will have an Open House, opening its doors to the public on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Visitors will be able to tour our training establishment’s facilities, including its galley and boatshed,” said PO1 Nicole Phippard, event organizer.

“They may have the opportunity to tour a 33-metre Orca-class patrol vessel, or go for a ride in a seven-metre rigid hulled inflatable boat, or RHIB.”

Since moving to the 20 Huron Street location in James Bay in 1992, the naval reserve division, nestled between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Canadian Coast Guard base, has been hard at work preparing its part-time sailors to serve Canada when needed.

Malahat is also a historic training and recruiting establishment.

“This year marks the centennial of the birth of Canada`s naval reserve in Victoria,” said LCdr Michael Lawless, Commanding Officer of the approximately 130-person division.

“We are proud of our history, and look forward to sharing with you our experiences in today`s naval reserve.”

Malahat is one of 24 naval reserve divisions, or commissioned “stone frigates”, located in major Canadian cities coast to coast.

Naval reservists typically serve part-time on evenings and weekends throughout the year, with opportunities to serve full-time in the Canadian Armed Forces ashore, at sea, or abroad.

As Malahat is located on Department of National Defence (DND) property, visitors should expect standard DND security procedures and are asked to bring government-issued identification.

Those who wish to tour the Orca-class patrol vessel or go on a RHIB ride should wear flat, rubber-soled footwear, and be able climb ladders, as well as embark and disembark from small boats without assistance.

Parents of children under 16 years of age who wish to participate in a RHIB ride will need to bring Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for their children.

For more information, please call 250-363-3883 or email jobs_Malahat@forces.gc.ca