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HMCS Halifax sailors hurt in heavy seas
Canadian Press
Thursday, February 03, 2005
HALIFAX (CP) -- Three sailors aboard a Canadian navy frigate sustained minor injuries Thursday morning while the ship was rolling violently in heavy seas off the U.S. coast.
One of the three men on board HMCS Halifax was flown ashore to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey by the ship's helicopter. A news release said the airlift was a "precautionary measure.''
The man, whose name wasn't released, was later transferred to Virtua Memorial hospital in Mount Holly, N.J., for treatment.
A nurse in the emergency ward at the civilian hospital said in the evening that the sailor had suffered a minor knee injury and left the hospital using crutches.
Two other navy personnel remained in the ship's sickbay under observation on Thursday evening.
"The injuries are along the lines of bumps, bruises and possible fractures,'' said navy spokesperson Lt.-Cmdr. Denise LaViolette, who said she couldn't be more precise about the nature of the injuries.
However, she added, "they're not serious.''
Five other members of the ship's company were also examined by the medical officer aboard HMCS Halifax, but were released after a few hours.
"They were in rough seas, and rolling back and forth when a large wave hit. Some folks were thrown about a little bit and that's how the injuries occurred,'' said LaViolette.
"If you're on a ship and all of a sudden it takes a fairly stiff roll, you're going to have people and things flying.''
Asked if training might avoid such incidents, she responded, "No matter how good your balance is, if the floor is taken from under your feet you're going to end up somewhere.''
The frigate was in four-metre seas at the time, going through routine manoeuvres off the eastern seaboard.
LaViolette said the vessel will continue to be deployed off the United States, and has carried on with its mission.
The frigate has a total crew of 225 people on board.
© Canadian Press 2005
Canadian Press
Thursday, February 03, 2005
HALIFAX (CP) -- Three sailors aboard a Canadian navy frigate sustained minor injuries Thursday morning while the ship was rolling violently in heavy seas off the U.S. coast.
One of the three men on board HMCS Halifax was flown ashore to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey by the ship's helicopter. A news release said the airlift was a "precautionary measure.''
The man, whose name wasn't released, was later transferred to Virtua Memorial hospital in Mount Holly, N.J., for treatment.
A nurse in the emergency ward at the civilian hospital said in the evening that the sailor had suffered a minor knee injury and left the hospital using crutches.
Two other navy personnel remained in the ship's sickbay under observation on Thursday evening.
"The injuries are along the lines of bumps, bruises and possible fractures,'' said navy spokesperson Lt.-Cmdr. Denise LaViolette, who said she couldn't be more precise about the nature of the injuries.
However, she added, "they're not serious.''
Five other members of the ship's company were also examined by the medical officer aboard HMCS Halifax, but were released after a few hours.
"They were in rough seas, and rolling back and forth when a large wave hit. Some folks were thrown about a little bit and that's how the injuries occurred,'' said LaViolette.
"If you're on a ship and all of a sudden it takes a fairly stiff roll, you're going to have people and things flying.''
Asked if training might avoid such incidents, she responded, "No matter how good your balance is, if the floor is taken from under your feet you're going to end up somewhere.''
The frigate was in four-metre seas at the time, going through routine manoeuvres off the eastern seaboard.
LaViolette said the vessel will continue to be deployed off the United States, and has carried on with its mission.
The frigate has a total crew of 225 people on board.
© Canadian Press 2005
