HMCS Star hosts Ontario sailors to tests skills in Hamilton Harbour

Over the weekend more than 100 sailors with the Royal Canadian Navy have been in Hamilton, taking part in a hands-on training exercise.

Since Friday night the HMCS Star has been hosting sailors from across Ontario to carry out man-overboard drills, diving exercises and getting ready for the day that they’re needed the most.

Over 100 sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy, with some coming as far as Thunder Bay, were in Hamilton this weekend.

They came for a chance to get out on the water, and to get some hands-on training.

“The sailors arrived Friday evening and have been here all day Saturday and today, Sunday,” said Petty Officer Don Durant with the Royal Canadian Navy.

After a long winter of studying in the classroom, this weekend exercise is about getting to the field, and putting those skills to practical use.

“Basically, all the training they’ve done in-house, went towards this weekend,” said Durant.

“We need to be on the same page, we need to work together so we all know what we’re doing,” said LCdr Michael Di Berardo, the Commanding Officer of the HMCS Star.

“So, doing these types of exercises where we’re all included, we learn how to work together, what our strengths are, what we need to work on and things of that nature.”

Soldiers and sailors like these play a crucial role in Canada’s response to emergencies like forest fires, floods, ice storms or hurricanes.

They also train for those scenarios with diligence.

“It’s great – it’s a great opportunity for all sailors from the different units here in Ontario to get out on the water and to do some excellent work,” said Durant.

“Here at HMCS Star in Hamilton, we’re considered the centre of excellence for recruiting – we’ve recruited 80-plus personnel this year and we continue to do that year after year,” said Di Berardo.

“However, with those numbers, we are still short people in Naval reserves and the regular Force Royal Canadian Navy,” he said. “So come join us – you get paid and have fun and learn and train with meaningful goals and tasks in mind.”

As it stands, the Canadian Armed Forces employs roughly 29,000 reservists and it is aiming to increase that number to 30,000 by 2032.

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