Commanding Officer

Commander Luc Cassivi was born in Maria, Québec and raised in New-Richmond, Québec where he resided until joining the Canadian Forces in 1983.  He participated in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet movement from 1979 to 1983, and then attended the “College Militaire Royal de St-Jean” where he completed an undergraduate degree in Computer Science with a specialization in Operations Research in 1988.  Upon graduation, he underwent naval training and performed the duties of Communications Officer in HMCS MARGAREE prior to joining the Submarine Service in late 1990.

Since becoming a submariner, Commander Cassivi has performed various submarine related sea and shore duties.  After a tour as Navigation Officer of HMCS ONONDAGA, he had the pleasure of serving on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy (1994-1997) in HMAS ONSLOW and the Submarine Warfare and Systems Centre.  On returning from Australia, he attended the Operations Room Officer course in 1998 before taking the duties of Operations Officer in HMCS IROQUOIS and then Deputy-Combat Officer in HMCS ST. JOHN’S. 

His staff experience consists of a tour as Staff Officer Submarine Operations at Maritime Command Headquarters in 1992-93, attending the Canadian Forces Staff School in Toronto in 1992 and a short period as Naval Operations Course Officer at Canadian Forces Naval Operations School Halifax in late 1997. 

He was appointed Executive Officer of HMCS CORNER BROOK (ex-HMS URSULA) in 2000 and remained in that tenure until attending the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Submarine Command Course in 2004.  Commander Cassivi was appointed Commanding Officer of HMCS VICTORIA upon his successful completion of this course in July 2004.  He was subsequently appointed Commanding Officer of HMCS CORNER BROOK from January to July 2005, and of HMCS WINDSOR from August 2005 to August 2006.  He assumed the duties of Commander Submarine Division and Officer in Charge of the Submarine Sea Training Group from July 2006 to July 2008 and has subsequently been appointed acting Commander, Fifth Maritime Operations Group. 

He was awarded his Masters in Business Administration in November 2008 from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.  Luc resides in Bedford, Nova Scotia.  He assumed command of HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC on 12 February 2009.