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HMCS ORIOLE Sails In Local Parades

The crew of HMCS Oriole will sail in three boat parades this weekend held in local area harbours in the spirit of the holiday season.

The 102-foot, ketch rigged sailing yacht will lead some 20 festively-lit boats in Oak Bay’s “Sea of Lights” parade beginning at 7 p.m. Friday in celebration of Oak Bay’s centennial.  Best viewing is on Willows Beach, where great family entertainment will also be offered starting at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, HMCS Oriole will sail in the 17^th Annual Lighted Ship Parade presented by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.  Approximately 20 boats will parade around the Inner Harbour, Ship Point and the Songhees shore.  Best viewing is on Ship Point, adjacent to the Empress Hotel.

HMCS Oriole will cap off the weekend by sailing in “Carols Afloat”, a boat parade held at the Maple Bay Yacht Club.  The parade of boats depart the dock at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday and sail through Bird’s Eye Cove and up the far shore towards Arbutus Point.  Boats will visit the Maple Bay Government Dock and the Maple Bay Rowing Club before making the return transit to Maple Bay Yacht Club.

HMCS Oriole was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy in 1952. It is the oldest serving ship in the Canadian Navy and has trained thousands of sailors in basic seamanship. Her travels have taken her from local waters to ports in Australia.   The ship is an ambassador for Canada and the Canadian Navy on the West Coast.  She is also a strong symbol of the Navy’s relationship with the greater Victoria community, often providing the opportunity for many local charitable groups to experience a day at sea on a tall ship.