Sailors succeed in Seamanship Olympics
By Lookout on Feb 16, 2020 with Comments 0
A/SLt Joshua Miszczak , Seamanship Olympics Coordinator ~
Those who come to Naval Fleet School (Pacific) are always eager to begin their careers with the Royal Canadian Navy and to experience the marine environment.
Many come out west directly from Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, and some come with prior military experience in the Primary Reserve, or in another element.
That experience is always valuable but often doesn’t cover the core skills needed to operate on the water. Chart work, boat handling, knots, rope work, and basic rigging for sail are among the skills needed by the aspiring mariner.
To address this, Naval Fleet School (Pacific) has developed monthly Seamanship Olympics: a chance for novice sailors to learn and compete.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the school held the inaugural Olympics in building N50 by the small boat jetties. Four teams of sailors made up from Personnel Awaiting Training (PAT) Platoons and the Temporary Holding Platoon (THP) attended basic chart work lectures, were given a tour of Sail Training Vessel Tuna to get familiar with its lines, and practiced their knots and rope work.
The atmosphere was jovial as the teams moved through their competition stands.
By 3 p.m. LCdr Chris Maier was ready to announce the winners.
Orca platoon took third place; they represented well but were unable to keep up with the Grizzly Platoon who came in second. However, neither team could catch THP. Their superior cohesion and morale led them to earn the Seamanship Trophy: a remounted pelorus, a worthy prize to inspire those sailors hoping to compete again in February.
Special thanks to A/SLt Ladouceur, A/SLt Zanko, A/SLt Gjos, A/SLt Young, and Lt (N) Brett for adjudicating the event.
Filed Under: Top Stories
About the Author: