Sailor Profile: Leading Seaman Khye Krolikowski, Boatswain

Leading Seaman Khye Krolikowski

SLt Samantha Crocker, Unit Public Affairs Representative Operation Caribbe

“Growing up, I always loved being on the water,” said Leading Seaman Khye Krolikowski. “I had a passion for it, so really it’s not a big surprise that this is where I am five years later.”

LS Krolikowski, from Belfast, PEI, had no idea that visiting a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) recruitment table at his local high school would spark his interest to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

“They were giving out free USB sticks, so a buddy and I went over and they convinced me to join the Navy,” he explained. “I never did end up using the USB stick.”

He enrolled in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve at HMCS Queen Charlotte as a boatswain in May 2013.

“I wanted something that was hands on. Being a boatswain seemed like the right option for me.”

He took a long-term contract on Canada’s west coast in 2016. Since that time, he’s had a busy sailing schedule. Posted to the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel HMCS Saskatoon, he participated in Exercise Rim of the Pacific and Operation Caribbe in 2016.

He then sailed onboard HMCS Whitehorse during the spring 2018 Operation Caribbe and recently returned from his third Op Caribbe deployment in HMCS Edmonton.

“When I deploy on Op Caribbe I feel like I’m making a real difference for the Canadian public. I’m using all the training I have received since joining the RCN and I’m putting it to good use.”

This past fall, LS Krolikowski acted as the primary boat coxswain while onboard Edmonton.

“Being a boat coxswain comes with a fair amount of responsibility. While deployed, I was called upon at any time to escort the Law Enforcement Detachment from the United States Coast Guard to conduct boarding operations on suspected vessels. I really enjoy being a boat coxswain. Not everyone has a chance to do that part of the job, but luckily I did.”

He currently lives in Victoria. Despite his busy sailing schedule, LS Krolikowski enjoys spending time sailing with friends, riding his motorcycle and exploring British Colombia. He makes time to visit his mother and father in Belfast, PEI, as often as he can.