Royal Canadian Navy Sailor Tragically Lost Life During Small Boat Operations

Above image, left, HMCS Montréal (336) arrives at the Port of Trois-Rivières to support Operation LENTUS 17-03 in Trois-Rivières, Québec on 11 May 2017. Photo: Sgt Marc-André Gaudreault, Valcartier Imaging Service. Right, Petty Officer Gregory Applin lost his life during small boat operations. 

A Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailor died Friday, Jan. 24, in an incident during small boat operations in the Bedford Basin in Halifax, NS.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and shipmates of Petty Officer Gregory Applin. We are reminded that the work we do is dangerous, and the tragic loss of one of our own so close to home will leave a lasting imprint on our entire Navy family,” Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy.

A Weapons Engineering Technician, PO 2 Applin served with His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal at the time of his death. He died when a small boat capsized.

19 Years in Uniform

PO 2 Applin joined the RCN in 2005 and sailed nearly 500 days aboard HMC Ships during his 19 years in uniform. He had recently deployed to the Indo-Pacific in 2024 aboard HMCS Montréal under Operation HORIZON.

PO 2 Applin also served aboard HMC Ships Halifax and Toronto on operations and exercises around the world and served as an instructor at Naval Fleet School Atlantic.

“The loss of Petty Officer Gregory Applin is a heartbreaking moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces. His lifelong dedication to service alongside his death reminds us all of the sacrifices that our members and their families make in service to Canada. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends,” General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff.

Small Boat Operations

According to a statement from the Department of National Defence, “small boat operations involve an element of risk and, at the time of the incident, two sailors were operating a rigid-hull inflatable boat that overturned and capsized at approximately 10:00 p.m. local time.”

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre

After the accident, a rescue was coordinated by the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) Halifax who dispatched ships from the Canadian Coast Guard.

The sailors were found and brought to the Mill Cove jetty to receive medical assistance from the paramedics. They were later transferred to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. Unfortunately, it was too late for one sailor, who could not be resuscitated.

PO 2 Applin leaves behind a loving family and many friends and colleagues. The second sailor was treated and released from the hospital. The Military Police is currently investigating the incident.