Subdued send off in Halifax for crews aboard the HMCS Fredericton
It was a small departure ceremony without the usual fanfare for 250 Canadian Forces members who departed Halifax Saturday on a six-month NATO mission.
Many families and friends of those leaving aboard HMCS Fredericton watched the departure online after their loved ones said goodbye at home before heading to HMC Dockyard.
"I had to say goodbye to my husband this morning," says Master Sailor Holly White. "I made it short and sweet, so I didn’t get as emotional."
"But he gets it," she adds, "he’s military, so he understands.”
This deployment on Operation Reassurance is Lt. (N) Jackie Kavanagh’s second mission, after spending her first on HMCS Charlottetown.
"Really excited," she says, "beautiful weather for us to depart and hopefully get to wave to some of our families as we leave."
On Monday, HMCS Halifax returned from its NATO deployment with cases of COVID-19 on board.
The Navy has confirmed three cases in total after the entire crew was tested several times. The third round of tests was to be conducted Saturday.
The Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia says those cases are asymptomatic and have been self-isolating since testing positive.
He also says the entire crew of HMCS is fully vaccinated as of two weeks ago and will follow strict COVID protocols on the mission.
"We consider the state of vaccination on board the ship," he says.
"We consider the prevalence of COVID in the port that they’re going into, and we consider the regulations of the port that we’re going into, and we build a specific plan of whether they can go ashore at all, and (if they do) what measures they’ll take before, during and after to protect themselves."
The commanding officer of HMCS Fredericton, Commander Andrew Graham, says the ship has the capability to do COVID testing.
"We have rapid testing capability, and if there is a positive on a rapid test, we have a full PCR testing capability onboard the ship, so we have plans in place if we do get a positive, to minimize the spread on board and to respond to it."
Crew members are hoping to be able to have some opportunity for time onshore.
"Hopefully COVID restrictions will be lifted so sailors who are on their first time, they can actually get ashore and actually see the places that we're going," says Petty Officer First Class Kelly Spicer.
It has been a difficult year for HMCS Fredericton, not only because the pandemic broke out worldwide during the last mission, but also because of the tragic death of six crew members last April.
The ship’s Cyclone helicopter, known as Stalker 22, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on that deployment.
Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins, Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, Capt. Kevin Hagen, Capt. Brenden MacDonald, Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin and Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke died as a result.
Those on board who suffered the loss are not on HMCS Fredericton this time, although a Cyclone helicopter is part of the mission.
Rear Admiral Santarpia says the crew was changed out as standard procedure, regardless of the tragedy.
"Even when tragedies occur, it’s a very resilient group," he says. "So while we recognize the tragedy and while we are conscious of its effect on individuals and on teams, we also at the same time need to build that kind of resilience, so that no matter what happens, in crisis or in conflict, we'll always be able to carry on with the mission."
HMCS Fredericton and the crew are expected to return to Halifax sometime in late December this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.