HMCS Calgary saves sea turtle
Navy News / May 31, 2021
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary rescued a sea turtle in distress while on counter-smuggling patrols off the coast of Oman on May 4th.
The rescue occurred around 7:30 a.m. after the turtle was spotted by the ship’s Navigating Officer Lieutenant (Navy) (Lt(N)) Evan Park. The turtle was struggling helplessly in netting and other debris that had formed together after being adrift at sea. Lt(N) Park sought approval by the ship’s Commanding Officer Commander (Cdr) Mark O’Donohue to dispatch a small boat team.
“It’s unfortunate but we often see debris of this type at sea. I have made it a habit when on watch to take a closer inspection in these situations to see if sea life is in danger, when it’s safe for the ship to do so,” said Lt(N) Park.
A small boat team was promptly dispatched and two boatswains spent 15 minutes delicately cutting the tangled mess of lines that had wrapped around the sea turtle’s body. Once freed, the turtle swam off to join other sea turtles that were circling the floating debris along with a large school of yellow tuna.
“It must have been out there for days. The nets had wrapped around it in many different places and had made little impressions in its skin,” said Sailor First Class (S1) Michael Sladic, who, along with S1 Coree Ranville, set the turtle free.
Saving sea creatures in distress is not a mandate of Canadian warships but it is sometimes done.
HMCS Calgary is currently deployed on Operation ARTEMIS, patrolling Middle Eastern waters in order to conduct counter-smuggling operations. The purpose of the mission is to seize narcotics and other illicit goods that are used to fund regional terrorist and criminal organizations. This work is done as part of Combined Task Force 150, a subsection of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). HMCS Calgary has had several busts on its current operation, including the seizure of 1,286 kg of heroin – the largest heroin bust in CMF history.
HMCS Calgary is deployed on Operation ARTEMIS from April 15 until mid-June. On completion, it will sail to Australia and participate in Exercise TALISMAN-SABRE 21 with the United States, Australia, and other partners.
“In the navy, I’m driven towards the operational side of things, and the counter-smuggling work we are doing out here is awesome. That said, saving the sea turtle was something special. It was great seeing the crew get passionate about this, to see everyone rush to the upper decks. It’s a career highlight for sure,” said Lt(N) Park.
Information on Sailors
Lieutenant (Navy) Evan Park
Lt(N) Park is from North Delta, British Columbia. Before joining the military in 2013, he attended University of Victoria and has Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in History, specializing in Military and International Relations. Lt(N) Park’s grandfather’s both served for Canada and Britain in World War II and his great grandfather fought for Canada with the Royal Navy in World War I. He joined the military in 2013 after the death of his father to pursue a childhood dream and continue his family’s legacy. He had heard about others in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) saving sea creatures before, but the current rescue was a first for him. Lt(N) Park is HMCS Calgary’s Navigating Officer.
“Being able to be a part of something like that is really rewarding. It just makes you feel good,” said Lt(N) Park.
Sailor First Class Michael Sladic
S1 Sladic is from the Remington Park area of Windsor, Ontario. He attended Holy Names Catholic High School before joining the RCN in 2007. This is not the first time S1 Sladic has saved a sea turtle. He saved two sea turtles in 2014 and 2015 while deployed on Operation CARRIBE with HMCS Whitehorse. S1 Sladic is a boatswain on HMCS Calgary.
“Saving a sea turtle is a special thing. It feels good to be a part of something that the ship’s company is doing out of the goodness of their hearts. Things like this don’t happen every day,” said S1 Sladic.
Sailor First Class Coree Ranville
Boatswain S1 Ranville was born in Thunder Bay, ON but grew up in Sudbury, ON where he attended St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. In 2013, while in high school, S1 Ranville participated in the RCN’s 6-week long Raven Program for Indigenous youth. This program got S1 Ranville interested in the navy and in 2014 he joined as a boatswain.
“Saving a sea turtle is one of those things you hear about happening on other ships, but you’d never think it would happen to you,” said S1 Ranville. “It’s a great feeling.”