Royal Canadian Navy ships visit St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes communities

As part of the annual Great Lakes Deployment, two Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships will visit the communities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Moncton and Oriole will be this year’s RCN ambassadors for the annual deployment, connecting Canadians to their Navy.

“Great Lakes Deployment 2018 is an excellent opportunity for thousands of Canadians throughout eastern Canada, Quebec, and Ontario to visit their Navy. I think that Canadians will be impressed with our ships but more importantly, pleased and proud of our incredible sailors who serve Canada at sea,” said Vice Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander of the RCN, in a press release issued Friday. “Welcome aboard, and don’t be shy to ask our sailors about how they are making a difference globally, in support of Canada and our interests.”

With activities like the guided ship tours and demonstrations, the Great Lakes deployments want to inform Canadians about their Navy and its various roles. Roles such as protecting Canada by exercising sovereignty in our nation’s waters; preventing conflict by deploying around the world to strengthen partnerships; and safeguarding international maritime peace and security.

Having both Regular and Reserve Force sailors, HMCS Moncton is a Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessel. The multi-role, minor war vessel has the primary mission of coastal surveillance and patrol. Its activities include general naval operations, and support for search and rescue, law enforcement, resource protection and fisheries patrols.

HMCS Oriole is a sailing ketch, used in sail training and public outreach events. It is the RCN’s longest-serving commissioned vessel. Oriole was launched in 1921, commissioned in 1952, and transferred from the RCN’s West Coast Fleet to its Atlantic fleet the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic Fleet in 2018.

“Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Oriole and Moncton will be great ambassadors on behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy this summer as they visit Canadian port cities throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway,” said Rear Admiral Craig Baines, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, in a press release issued Friday. “Their visit also provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Cadet Organizations and the rich history of service they have provided and continue to provide in our communities.”

HMCS Oriole will visit the following cities:
• Toronto, ON (June 17-25)
• Hamilton, ON (June 29-July 4)
• Port Dalhousie, ON (July 6-9)
• Oakville, ON (July 13-16)
• Port Stanley, ON (July 20-23)
• Windsor, ON (July 27-30)
• Port Colborne, ON (August 3-6)
• Oshawa, ON (August 10-13)
• Kingston, ON (August 17-27)
• Trois-Rivières, QC (August 31-September 3)
• Québec City, QC (September 7-10)
• Sept- Îles, QC (September 14-17)
• Gaspé, QC (September 21-22)

HMCS Moncton will also visit the following cities:
• Oshawa, ON (July 16-17)
• Toronto, ON (July 18-22)
• Hamilton, ON (July 23-25)
• Prescott, ON (July 27-28)
• Montréal, QC (July 29-August 1)
• Trois-Rivières, QC (August 2-3)
• Québec City, QC (August 3-5)
• Rimouski, QC (August 6-7)