Sailors mourn beards, buried at sea
A/SLt Mark Fifield, HMCS Calgary
AB Christopher Ricard places a mini coffin on the ramp. The coffin contains the remains of beard shavings donated by PO1 Ken Kowalski.
Photo by A/SLt Mark Fifield, HMCS Calgary
The wearing of beards is a longstanding naval tradition that originated back in the times of wooden sailing ships when fresh water couldn't be spared to allow sailors to shave on a regular basis.
However, as of July 14 all personnel on board Her Majesty's Canadian Ships and submarines were no longer permitted to have beards while at sea.
The policy was changed due to safety concerns about the presence of facial hair preventing a proper seal when wearing respiratory protection systems.
As to be expected, there were a few "old salts" in HMCS Calgary who mourned the loss of this beloved tradition and marked its passing with a mock burial at sea.
On Sept. 20, a small funeral procession led by Calgary's Buffer, CPO2 Patrick O'Hara, took place with the collection of a beard that was shaven after the new policy had taken effect. The remains were generously donated by AB Christopher Ricard and placed in a small casket built for the solemn occasion by PO1 Kenneth Kowalski.
After some somber words read by AB Ricard and the odd tear or two, the casket containing the beard was committed to the deep and eventually reached its final resting place at Davey Jones Locker.
It slowly descended beneath the waves for all eternity and was recorded at the following location 07° 01' N, 074° 15' W.
Calgary is currently in the South America region following the completion of Panamax 2009, which was a joint multinational exercise involving navies from 16 countries with the aim to improve cooperation and interoperability between the Canadian Forces and our international partners.
