Archana Cini
Journal Lookout

  • Defence on the Dock returns Oct. 5, 2025, at Ogden Point, offering the public a free, up-close look at naval and Defence life. 
  • New this year: a Sports Zone with athletes and demonstrations, plus the Marine Careers Exposition connecting Canadians with marine industry opportunities. 

–

On Sunday, Oct 5, the Victoria waterfront will once again draw crowds as Defence on the Dock (DotD) returns to Ogden Point from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DotD is a biennial event that offers the public an up-close look at life in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the Defence team of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. By showcasing the Defence team’s vessels, equipment, related organizations, and its people, DotD provides the public with free opportunities to explore and engage with naval life in a welcoming environment.

In addition to returning favourites such as ship tours and interactive displays, DotD is introducing several new engagements this year that showcase RCN talent and community. For the first time, the event will debut a Sports Zone with professional, semi-professional, and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) athletes; sports activities; fitness demonstrations; and more. The Marine Careers Exposition will also be on site to showcase nantionwide career opportunities and connect government organizations, industry employers, and institutions with local communities.

“To me, Defence on the Dock really solidifies CFB Esquimalt’s ‘Support for All’ motto and showcases our community to the public,” said Matt Carlson, Base Public Affairs Projects Officer. “The Marine Career Expo and Sports Zone are going to make this year’s edition a really special day.”

Attendees can also expect musical performances by the Naden Band of the RCN. Food and drink options will be available for purchase, including food trucks and a BBQ hosted by the Esquimalt Military and Family Resource Centre (EMFRC). Other event participants will include Team Rubicon Canada; the Victoria Royals Hockey Club; the Naval Training Group (NTG) Learning and Support Centre; the 5th BC Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Museum, the Victoria HarbourCats baseball team, the Ashton Armoury Museum; and Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) Pacific.

For DotD organizers, pulling off an event of this scale is anything but simple.

“Even when you’re putting on an event like this that’s happened before, it’s a lot more complex than you’d think,” said Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Michael Samuels, second-in-command for the event. “There’s no cookie-cutter format to making it happen. There are so many nuances — which ship will be docked where? What will our community want to engage in this year? It’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding.”

For A/SLt Max McGraw, contributing to DotD is a responsibility that means a lot, both personally and professionally. “Working Defence on the Dock is so dynamic. You quickly realize how many different organizations and people are connected through a single event, and how much effort it takes to make something happen,” he said.

Most importantly, the purpose behind DotD has stayed steady through the years. Whether through a ship tour or a conversation with an athlete, every moment matters.