HMCS Oriole sets sail for Tall Ship Regatta to mark Canada’s 150th Anniversary

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Oriole set sail on March 16, for Rendez-vous 2017, a Tall Ships Regatta held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

HMCS Oriole will be visiting the East Coast for the first time since 1984 for Rendez-vous 2017, which will be taking place throughout Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

“The men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy are the foundation of its service and are among the most professional, highly educated, and highly trained sailors in the world. I know every member onboard HMCS Oriole will be excellent ambassadors for the Royal Canadian Navy during this deployment. They will maintain the highest standard at sea and ashore, while showcasing their skills and attributes to the public at home and abroad,” RAdm.  Art McDonald, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific.

Before attending Rendez-vous 2017, HMCS Oriole will be conducting 12 port visits in seven countries for a total travel time of three months.

Rendez-vous 2017 will take place from June 30 to August 20. During this time, HMCS Oriole will be visiting nine cities in four provinces to connect with Canadians in these regions. The deployment allows the crew to take advantage of training opportunities while strengthening their relationship with the public.

“I am honoured to be sailing with such a professional and dedicated crew. We have been training and preparing for this deployment for many months, and I know the crew, and I are excited about reaching out to Canadians and our partner nations over the next several months. We couldn’t achieve this without the continued support of our families, friends, and colleagues back home,” said Lcdr. Mike Willis, Commanding Officer, HMCS Oriole.

After Rendez-vous 2017, the ship is scheduled for a maintenance refit in Halifax, including general maintenance and upgrades. HMCS Oriole will then return to its home base of Esquimalt in the spring of 2018.

Images courtesy of the Royal Canadian Navy