SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - It took guts of steel for Sub-Lieutenant Brighid Woodman, a former resident of Point Prim in P.E.I., to cross the Atlantic Ocean and sail into the wild and distant seas of Africa on board the HMCS Summerside.
But the 23-year-old is no stranger to braving the open waters – on the Royal Canadian Navy coastal defense vessel – which can easily transition from a glassy stillness that’s rippled only by a breath of wind to the swells of a violent storm and then barren landscape.
“Last January I joined the crew of HMCS Summerside as a Naval Warfare Officer, and my first deployment on board was to Western Africa. This year the ship was asked to return for an even more significant mission. We visited six African countries and last year we visited four,” explained Woodman.
The HMCS Summerside and the HMCS Kingston left the blustery cold weather in their wake as they departed Halifax on the Operation PROJECTION exercise, for the warm seas of West Africa on January 26.
“Most days at sea are repetitive and everyone experiences some homesickness, but we all pull together to ensure that our ship is operationally ready, as well as to keep morale high,” shared Woodman.
She added, “For me crossing the Atlantic Ocean was a highlight. Our ship made it to the Golden X (the centre of the Earth or zero point). We held a special ceremony there and being able to cross this point is a great achievement for any mariner.”
The countries visited on the exercise that aims to improve relations, safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea, included Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin, Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana.
“The trip included a great deal of community relations work and visits. We were able to see and experience the local cultures, meet with people from all of these countries, speak and work with the local youth in their schools, and even some orphanages. And the curiosity and generosity of spirit I felt from the young people I met will stay with me forever."
Woodman continued, “I was also able to take part in various discussions with women’s groups where I met role models from different African regions. I heard stories about where they come from, their aspirations and inspirations. We learned about women’s experiences in African military forces, which were eye-opening and demonstrated to me the importance of our presence as members of the Canadian Navy in Africa.”
The HMCS Summerside will dock in Summerside once again this summer to participate in the annual lobster festival, Woodman acknowledged.
“Our crew had a great time last year on our ‘home visit’ and we are looking forward to coming back this year.”
Woodman, who first joined the Canadian Navy Reserves in 2013 as a member of HMCS Queen Charlotte in Charlottetown, thanked all those on P.E.I. for their support during this operation.
“We shared some of the most beautiful sights of the world,” she said. “The sunrises and sunsets at sea never get old and being able to work with a group of people that love doing their job makes the experiences even more memorable.”
