HMCS Oriole
Class: B
Flag: Canada
Homeport city: Victoria
Year built: 1921
Rig: Marconi rigged Ketch
Length Over All: 102 feet (31.1 metres)
Length of Deck: 91 feet (27.7 metres)
Draft: 10 feet (3 metres)
Beam: 19 feet (5.8 metres)
Length of Waterline: 63 feet (19.2 metres)
Freeboard fore: 6 feet 8 inches (2 metres)
The oldest commissioned ship in the Canadian Navy. She was launched at Neponset Mass, June 4, 1921. Now, the ship is a regular participant in the annual Swift sure Classic race from Victoria to the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and return. Every second year ORIOLE sets out on the Victoria to Maui International Yacht race.
First and foremost, HMCS ORIOLE is charged with the mission of providing sail training to junior officers and noncommissioned officers as part of their introduction to life at sea. ORIOLE is also tasked to provide a platform for Adventure Training for all three services. While there is no requirement for the Airforce or Army to learn to be mariners, they too require the teamwork lesson as much as the Navy. Adventure Training is also designed to exercise the "risk muscle". One of the many challenges facing our soldiers, sailors and airmen today is to meet risk head on and overcome the fears they have to conduct a given mission. Adventure Training in Oriole offers an avenue to confront fear and to face the challenges of the sea. The individual and group confidence that this builds is incalculable but obvious after a week at sea.
Mission: To provide sail training to junior officers and noncommissioned officers as part of their introduction to life at sea.
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