HMCS York naval reserve corps test local waters

Unlike the past few days, Georgian Bay waters were relatively calm Tuesday.

That’s when a group of close to 15 reservists from HMCS York arrived in Midland harbour to conduct training exercises.

Based in Toronto, the 400-member HMCS York naval reserve corps covers a large swath of the province’s waterways and can be called upon to help where urgency and expertise are imperative. Members of the reserve, which is part of the Royal Canadian Navy, are adept at search and rescue response capabilities and providing assistance to domestic operations when required.

"This area is within our area of operations," HMCS York sub-lieutenant Gurudas Gandhi said, pointing out that while the unit is based on Lake Ontario at the intersection of Bathurst and Lakeshore in Toronto, it covers a large swath of Ontario.

"We like to get familiar with the waters in which we serve and know what's up here."

To provide effective support, Gandhi says it's essential that sailors maintain their small boat handling, search and rescue skills and conduct reconnaissance exercises outside of their standard area of operations to improve situational awareness and maximize time on station.

And that that makes operations like Tuesday’s training exercises all the more essential as crews polish their search and rescue skills.

On this particular mission, crew members aboard two large inflatable dinghies are on a quest to work on helping a drowning person.

One team member serves as the victim by falling into the water and the crew quickly makes a plan to rescue the fallen member by ensuring everything goes according to plan. From having two dedicated members on board always pointing towards the victim to the captain and crew slowly approaching the person and finally bringing him back onboard, everything takes place with military precision.

While the water was relatively warm on this particular August day, the coxswain explains to those aboard, including members of the local sea cadets from Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Trillium, that they have to be ready for any situation. That could include high waves and big winds, frigid temperatures and potentially dealing with an injured or unconscious person.

HMCS York can be called upon as a responsive water component of Operation LENTUS, which is the Canadian Armed Forces’ assistance to provincial and territorial authorities in the event of natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, ice storms, tornados and hurricanes.

Gandhi notes that unit members can also be dispatched to other areas beyond Ontario, including the recent wildfires that have plagued British Columbia.

"We serve all of Canada," he says, noting the crew, which conducted training in Muskoka in April, will be conducting training exercises in Parry Sound Wednesday.

"The training also helps us refresh our skills."

Unlike full-time naval personnel, the reservists all have other full-time jobs or are attending school.

"We're all part-time sailors," says Gandhi, who actually works in the tech sector and used a vacation day to participate in Tuesday's exercises.

Gandhi says training days often occur during weekends so that can mean a quick two-day trip to Victoria or Halifax to complete exercises and learn new skills.

S3 boatswain Mauli Patel just finished a master's degree and joined the reserve when she was 16. She first served in Winnipeg with HMCS Chippewa and now in Toronto.

"I like getting the skills and learning things not directly tied to my position," Patel says, noting you're always learning and always enjoying the camaraderie that exists between members.

"This has really given me a great career boost."