2010 - Rendez-vous naval de quebec

NATO ships gather for Rendez-vous naval de Québec

by Maj Sylvain Chalifour

CITY OF QUÉBEC — Despite the cold and wind, more than 25 000 visitors toured the ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), and HMCS Toronto, during the second edition of Rendez-vous naval de Québec, held in the city of Québec from June 3 to 6.

More than 900 sailors from Canada, Denmark, Germany and the US displayed their ships to the general public and participated in four days of activities. The crew of USS Boone won the dragon boat races, while Naval Reserve HQ won the Renforts Run, a 4.2-km team race from the quays to La Citadelle atop Cap Diamant. As well, Commander Britta Nagel, ship’s surgeon from German frigate Karlsruhe, accompanied the new Canadian Navy mascot to the Centre hospitalier de l’Université Laval to visit sick children. Several events highlighted the Canadian Naval Centennial.

The spirit of camaraderie and the exceptional welcome by the city of Québec community made this year’s Rendez-vous naval de Québec an event to remember.