HMCS VICTORIA ARRIVES SUNDAY

The submarine HMCS Victoria, the first warship to be named for the capital city of British Columbia arrives in Esquimalt , Sunday at 10 a.m.  HMCS Victoria left Halifax last June 29 to make the 7,350 km voyage to its new homeport.  Under the Command of Lt.-Cmdr Scott McVicar the boat has a complement of 53 sailors, some who are taking up residence in B.C. for the first time.  The arrival of Victoria provides the first permanent Canadian navy submarine presence in the Pacific since 1974 when HMCS Rainbow was paid off.

The boat will be greeted with a short civic ceremony on its entrance to Esquimalt harbour when Acting Mayor, Alderman Chris Coleman joins Rear-Admiral Jean-Yves Forcier to take the salute.

The program for the boat’s arrival is as follows:

10 a.m.             HMCS Victoria passes Duntze Head

10:45 a.m.      HMCS Victoria alongside on Jetty C4