HMCS ORIOLE

About the Ship

Junior Officer Training

    Junior officer training is HMCS Orioles most important role. There are always junior officers embarked and they can be found doing all the different tasks onboard. Depending on the time of year and the length of time they are attached to Oriole they may even earn the coveted "Competent Crew" qualification.

    In general they learn about all aspects of shipboard life. They learn the basics of navigation, weather, seamanship and ship’s husbandry. Some are fortunate enough to participate in races such as the annual Swiftsure Race or the Bi-annual Vic-Maui or Van-Isle 360. These latter two races are gruelling tests of man against the elements.

    On the 2002 Vic-Maui race Oriole spent 21 days at sea under sail in a wide variety of weather conditions. They ranged from 45-knot winds of the Oregon coast to dead calms half way to Hawaii. It was the very first time at sea for some of the young officers who sailed in Oriole. Being a thousand miles from land in a 103-foot sailboat can be frightening for even the most confident person.

Date modified:
3/27/2007