International Stories

An oasis in the desert: Another port of call for HMCS TORONTO

By Johanna Ngoh

Stretching their sea legs on dry land for the second time during Operation ALTAIR, HMCS TORONTO called into the Arabian Gulf’s largest port last month for both business and pleasure.

Built between 1976 and 1979, TORONTO visited the largest port facility in the world with 67 berths and extensive dry-dock capability and, as such, the most frequented port outside of the US. As a strategic maritime link between the Far East and the West, this is the main commercial centre of the Persian Gulf, not to mention a familiar stop for battle groups deployed to the Arabian Gulf. A man-made harbour, the Arabian Gulf’s largest port is also one of only three man-made objects that can be seen from space along with the Hoover Dam and the Great Wall of China.

But the industrial area surrounding the port is a harbour of a different sort. Known as a magnet for corporate residents, the port zone offers a vast array of financial incentives that include a 15-year exemption from corporate tax, no personal income tax, no import or export duties and no currency restrictions. Boasting extensive recreational facilities, the zone is renowned for providing weary sailors with first-class shore leave that includes fast-food restaurants, shopping, swimming pools, golfing, scuba, a recreation lounge and the water park, providing relief from searing temperatures that remain steady above 30ºC. For those wishing to venture further afield, the nearby “City of Gold” beckon with its siren call of gold, jewellery and electronics bargains, known as such in the tourist trade as for its hundreds of gold vendors and some of the best jewellery prices in the world.

But despite the opportunity for rest and relaxation, security concerns in the region demanded that TORONTO’s crew remain alert at all times with, “the ship required to keep enough people onboard to sail at one hours notice,” according to Commander Bruce Belliveau, TORONTO’s commanding officer. In the end TORONTO’s visit was cut short when the Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin created greater security concerns for Westerners, and the crew had to be recalled early on the last day of their visit.

“Nonetheless, after 40 days at sea, the crew was pleased with the opportunity to go ashore and stretch their legs,” confirmed Cdr Belliveau. “Although technically called a RAMP (Rest and Maintenance Period), the focus was on critical maintenance and maintaining a high state of force protection.”

“The first day in port was taken up with the myriad of activities required to set up security and stocking up with a 100 pallets of food and other supplies,” said Cdr Belliveau, adding that maintenance was required on many systems not the least of which was a fresh coat of paint. Foremost on TORONTO’s agenda was recovering her Sea King helicopter which shipped out from Halifax earlier in the month; Sea Training Atlantic were on board for a series of Air Work-Ups that promptly followed.

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That said Cdr Belliveau reassures that each crewmember had at least one day to enjoy the facilities ashore exploring a veritable oasis in the desert.

“For those who did manage time off the ship, they enjoyed a diverse community that offers many distractions for visitors to the region. Everything from camel back tours of the desert, to diving in the Gulf, to a world-class water park is available to eager tourists. The region is a mix of both the old and the new and the ship’s company was able to experience a taste of Arabic culture, from haggling over the prices of goods sold in the various souks, to experiencing Arabic cuisine and desert life.”

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