Pacific Fleet cancels the Navy Lighting Contest for this year

The Navy Lighting Contest for 2012 at CFB Esquimalt has been postponed primarily due to extensive ongoing construction at Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Dockyard.

“I fully recognize the Navy Lighting event has become a tradition for many of us, including our neighbors in the community,” said Capt(N) Bob Auchterlonie, Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt. “My decision is based on a number of factors including the ongoing construction and renewal in HMC Dockyard, the ability for personnel to safely decorate buildings near the work being done, as well as the unavailability of ships due to operational and maintenance requirements.”

Millions of dollars in construction work is being carried out in a variety of locations on the base. As well, a number of Pacific Fleet ships are either deployed or undergoing extensive maintenance work that precludes their availability to support the Navy Lighting Contest this year.  

The annual Navy Lighting Contest has been a unique holiday tradition for a number of years. Last year, nearly 5,800 visitors toured HMC Dockyard by bus via a pre-determined route, viewing the decorated ships and buildings, and voting for their favorite.