Monday 14 May 2018

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2018

This is the 5th year that I have photographed the Battle of the Atlantic service and committal ceremony, so I will not go on at length about this year's edition, except to post the photos - especially where it is more than a week later and I have not even completed processing the photos yet!

This year, HMCS HALIFAX was assigned to take the families out for the service and committal ceremony off Point Pleasant Park.

A Glen tug approaches as we prepare to depart the jetty.

Sailors lined up on the quarterdeck with the ship's ensign flying.

Once HMCS HALIFAX was away from the jetty, the two Glen tugs dropped their lines and headed out to the west of George's Island while HALIFAX headed out on the eastern side.

As we approached the designated spot off Point Pleasant Park, the crew brought up the containers of ashes of those to be committed later in the morning, so that they could be arranged in order.

Trustees of HMCS SACKVILLE organizing the containers of ashes.

Trustees of HMCS SACKVILLE organizing the containers of ashes.

Commander Scott Nelson, CO of HMCS HALIFAX, stands in the centre of the flight deck during the service.

Battle of the Atlantic Service.

Battle of the Atlantic Service.

Commander Nelson and the ship's cox'n, CPO1 Gerry Doutre, prepare to deposit a wreath in the harbour.
It is difficult to find unique angles and images from year to year, but each ship does things slightly differently. This was something new that I didn't capture in years previous.

Saluting as ashes are committed over the side of the ship.

Committal of ashes.

A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter drops a wreath off the sailors memorial in Point Pleasant Park where another service was taking place. 

Piping of ashes during the committal ceremony.

Crew preparing lines prior to our return to the Dockyard.

The Canadian Coast Guard's Cape Roger heading out with an RCN sailor silhouetted in the foreground.

HMCS HALIFAX upon our return to the jetty.

The entire gallery of photos can be found here.

For previous years, please see the following:

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