Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary rescued a sea turtle in distress while on counter-smuggling patrols off the coast of Oman recently.
The rescue occurred after the turtle was spotted by the ship’s Navigating Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Evan Park of North Delta.
The turtle was struggling helplessly in netting and other debris that had formed together after being adrift at sea. Park sought approval by the ship’s Commanding Officer Commander 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 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. 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 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 toward the operational side of things, and the counter-smuggling work we are doing out here is awesome,” added Park. “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.”
Before joining the military in 2013, Park attended the University of Victoria where he has a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in History, specializing in Military and International Relations.
Park’s grandfathers both served for Canada and Britain in The Second World War and his great grandfather fought for Canada with the Royal Navy in The First World War.
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 saving sea creatures before, but the current rescue was a first for him.
