HMCS Vancouver visits namesake city

Kateryna Bandura, Editor — Seven sailors from HMCS Vancouver conducted a namesake city visit March 2-3.

The visit allowed members to share their experiences with Vancouverites during the ship’s previous year’s six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific.

Lieutenant (Navy) Sean Ritchie, Vancouver’s Unit Public Affairs Representative, says trips such as this one are important in building lasting relationships with organizations across Canada.

“Canadians often have limited knowledge of what their Navy does unless they live on a coast or near a base, and outreach events such as this serve as an important reminder of all the Royal Canadian Navy accomplishes domestically and abroad,” he said.

During the visit, sailors presented at cadet units giving an overview of the Navy and Vancouver’s recent deployment, discussed opportunities within the Navy, and explained what they do domestically and internationally.

The group also connected with the Honour House Organization, the ship’s charity. Lt(N) Ritchie said visiting Honour House and learning about the work being done was a highlight of the visit; the sailors presented a cheque from funds raised on deployment totaling $4,000.

HMCS Vancouver is currently preparing for a busy summer sailing schedule, which will culminate with a deployment to the Indo-Asia Region.