All posts by Dinger

About Dinger

A sea cadet at RCSCC LION from 1963 to 1968, I joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS STAR in 1968 as a Bos'n. I was an Officer Cadet in the ROUTP, commissioned in 1971, and awarded my watchkeeping ticket in 1973. I served at sea, at one time or another, in all five Gate Vessels and HMCS FORT STEELE & CHAUDIERE as well as the Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St. Laurent and served as OIC of the patrol vessels RALLY and RAPID. At STAR from 1968 to 2007, I served as XO twice and then as CO from 2002 to 2005. I rounded out my career by serving as SSO Training at NAVRESHQ in Quebec City in 2008, retiring in 2009 as CO of HMCS HUNTER in Windsor. I was Executive Director for the Friends of HMCS HAIDA till 2011 and have been an active volunteer onboard HAIDA since she arrived in Hamilton in 2003.

HAIDA Sentry Program

What's New?

The HAIDA Sentry Program brings Naval Reserve sailors from across the country to HMCS HAIDA, the RCN’s ceremonial flagship, to learn more about our history and engage with Canadians. Developed in collaboration with partners at Parks Canada and the Friends of HAIDA, this inaugural year will see groups of four onboard for a week each. The first four, two from TECUMSEH and two from DISCOVERY, were excellent ambassadors for their NRDs and the Naval Reserve and added considerably to the visitor experience. Looking forward to welcoming other groups throughout July, and, hopefully, an expanded program in years to come.

Gabe Camozzi from Parks Canada on the left, Chief Kelly Mills from HMCS GRIFFON third from left and Jeff Topping of Friends of HMCS HAIDA on the right, along with the first four HAIDA Sentries.

Great Lakes Deployment 2023

What's New?

No firm information yet but look for:

HMCS ORIOLE during the last week of August;

HMCS GLACE BAY, fresh from an African and then Haitian deployment and participation in the search for the TITAN submersible, on the lakes all the way to Windsor but not scheduled for Hamilton this year, sometime in September; and

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF, first Canadian warship to circumnavigate North American since LABRADOR in 1954, in November prior to the Grey Cup.

Stay tuned.

HMCS HAIDA 2023 Season

What's New?

2023 Opening Hours:

  • Saturday, 20 May till Sunday, 24 September
  • Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 till 17:00, 20 May till 3 September
  • Thursday from 10:00 till 20:00, 6 July to 31 August
  • Saturdays and Sundays only from 10:00 till 17:00, 9 September till 24 September