Our Canadian pirate Busters in the Gulf of Aden assist, crew members and check ship recently released, by Somali Pirates.
Photo taken from HMCS Fredericton in Gulf of Aden, as crew provides medical assistance to Singaporean ship MV Kota, which had been held by pirates for more than two months. (Photo: Cpl. Peter Reed/Canadian Department of National Defence)
CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Tue. Dec. 29 2009 2:34 PM ET
The Canadian Armed Forces is crediting the crew of a Canadian warship with helping newly freed hostages, after Somali pirates released a ship that had been held captive for more than two months.
The Canadian crew on the HMCS Fredericton went to check on the hostages after learning a ransom had been paid and the pirates had left. The Fredericton responded because it was the closest NATO ship.
My first intent was to get over there and make sure the crew was safe, Steve Waddell, Commanding Officer of HMCS Fredericton, told CTV News Channel by phone.
His crew conducted a security sweep aboard the Singaporean ship MV Kota Wajar to make sure there were no more pirates left on board.
Doctors then assessed the 21 hostages and found they were physically healthy, although suffering from the psychological trauma of their abduction.
They had stress issues and those sorts of things, said Waddell. It was good for them to finally be away from their captors.
The MV Kota Wajar was hijacked near Haradere, off the coast of Somalia on Oct. 15, and had apparently moved little since then.
We certainly wanted to make sure the vessel was sea-worthy, which it was, said Waddell. It was able to get underway under its own power after being at anchor for over two-and-a-half months.
Well done to Ships Captain Steve Waddell and his entire crew. Have a safe and Happy New Years.
Also from HMCS FRedricton Congratulations to their Baby Doc
ABOARD HMCS FREDERICTON -- Lindsay Robichaud is a medical technician whose nickname on the HMCS Fredericton is Baby Doc. She's deployed on a ship whose mission is to patrol some of the most dangerous seas in the world, off the coast of Somalia, since last October. She welcomes us into her Red Cross-decorated office with a warm smile.
I was supposed to spend three years on a military base, but instead I was sent here, on this ship. It was the first time I'd ever set foot on a boat and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. It's the best thing that could happen to me, she enthuses. It's real team work and everyone cares for one another.
On a military base, women are treated as equals by men, but on a ship, it's like there's extra care for us. Maybe it's because of my job ... They don't want me to be mad at them, she jokes. I don't find it hard to be a woman on this ship, because the seamen are respectful to me and my job.
Indeed, it is obvious that everyone on this ship has tremendous respect for Robichaud.
Even when getting a Jab ! !
It's just not Christmas without a Christmas tree. Corporal Lindsey Robichaud (left) and Corporal Kaetlyn Slauenwhite (right) decorate the tree in the Main Cafeteria.
OP SAIPH, HMCS Fredericton
On a sad note an Ottawa Policeman father of four was killed, while on duty outside Ottawa Civic Hospital. Prayers and condolences to his wife, children and loved ones.This man was also serving Canada.
The victim was Const. Eric Czapnik, 51, a father of four who had been with the force since April 2007, police Chief Vern White told an afternoon news conference.
Czapnik was an immigrant from Poland whose father had also been a police officer, and was a well-liked member of the force, White said.
He said the officer was alone at the hospital on an unrelated police matter when a man stabbed him. There was no known connection between the suspect and the officer.
He was actually outside the hospital, preparing to leave, White said.
Thanks to the prompt response of members of the public and, in particular, two paramedics at the scene, the suspect was apprehended, he said.
The police chief called the paramedics heroic, hinting they may have kept others from being harmed.
Without their assistance, I don't know what would have happened, White added.
May he Rest in Peace his duty done.
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
