Tomorrow’s sailors sail today – cadets in HMCS Whitehorse

LCdr Shane Denneny, commanding officer, with members of The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp and Admiral DeWolf take time for a photo.

SLt Eric Mullen, HMCS Whitehorse ~

Cadets from the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps DeWolf in Campbell River were given an opportunity to experience the life of a professional sailor on board HMCS Whitehorse on Feb. 17.

Seven Cadets and their Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer met the ship’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat at a jetty in Campbell River before being spirited away to the Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel for a day sail.

Following a tour of the ship and meeting with the Command team, they were treated to a surprise when a Cormorant helicopter from 442 Squadron arrived to conduct a series of helo hoists from Whitehorse’s foc’sle.

After enjoying a meal hosted by the ship’s company, the cadets were promptly put to work learning about the many occupations represented on board. They were able to get some experience steering the ship, and to learn about the engineering and operational capability of the vessel.

This is one of several opportunities that Whitehorse will have over the next couple of weeks to host cadets and members of coastal communities during its patrol along Canada’s Pacific Coast.