P.A. sea cadet sails on patrol vessel with Canadian Navy
A Prince Albert sea cadet has returned from a deployment to British Columbia where he sailed on an Orca-class patrol vessel with the Canadian Navy.
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Mineau said the deployment gave him a real taste of life onboard a naval ship. Sailing out of Esquimalt, B.C. last month, Mineau said he had a chance to try out just about every role while learning about daily life aboard the ship. Although he had previously spent time sailing on a tall ship with the cadet program, the 18-year-old Mineau said the Orca seemed overwhelming at first.
“I went on there with a lack of confidence,” Mineau said. “I’m a drill and ceremonial instructor. I don’t get to go out on the ships.”
Mineau said his confidence quickly built as he, along with other cadets, learned and practiced the various skills required for naval life. The cadets practiced steering and navigation, served as lookouts, responded to emergency breakdowns, and even practiced rescue and response drills in dark and smoky conditions wearing full firefighting gear, Mineau said. One of the most exciting moments, he said, was practicing the man overboard drills.