An emotional meeting for sailors

Former Protecteur crew members pose aboard HMCS Vancouver off the coast of Panama. Personnel from top left to bottom right: LS Duane Earle, LS Jeffrey Allam, LS James Campbell, MCpl Alfred Castrojas, Cpl Nancy Rheaume, MS David Spiker, Lt(N) Maxime Delcourt, PO2 Benjamin Salamon, PO1 Steven Stacyszyn, LS Shawn Snow, LS Leo Bossé, LS Margeaux Hadwin, Lt(N) Jeff Scheerer, PO1 Stephan Melancon and LS Sergej Krivenko.

Commander Clive Butler, HMCS Vancouver ~

On the morning of March 16, after having completed a brief fuel stop in Balboa, Panama, about 100 nautical miles (185 km) south-west of Panama, HMCS Vancouver came across the former Protecteur during the proud old vessel’s final trip to Nova Scotia.

A number of personnel currently serving aboard Vancouver served in Protecteur during the fateful fire that ended its career. The encounter was a surprisingly emotional moment for many of them.

Vancouver saluted its old comrade-in-arms out of respect.

Former HMCS Protecteur off the coast of Panama as viewed from the vantage of HMCS Vancouver