QUEBEC CITY, June 7, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chilean Defence Attaché to Canada, Captain (Navy) Ramiro Navajas, presented the Arturo Prat Award to Lieutenant (Navy) Andrew Foran today, during a military ceremony held at the Canadian Forces Fleet School of Québec. The award, now in its third year, is given to the top candidate on the Navy's Coastal Operations Course, Phase III, at the Canadian Forces Fleet School (Québec).
"The Arturo Prat Award not only symbolizes the professional connection and friendship between our two navies, but also recognizes the academic success of our young officers," said the Deputy Commander of the Naval Reserve of Canada, Captain (Navy) Jill Marrack. "It is an elegant way to acknowledge the dedication they have shown to the Royal Canadian Navy and the pride they take in wearing the its uniform."
During the ceremony, at which almost 100 military members paraded, Captain (Navy) Ramiro Navajas said, "This ceremony expresses friendship and collaboration that have been built between the Navies of Chile and Canada that will continue into the future with the 'wind in the sails.'"
This year's recipient, Lieutenant (Navy) Foran, is an Operations Officer on board Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Summerside, a Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel. A native of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces on December 9, 2003 as a Maritime Surface and Sub-Surface (MARS) Officer. In the fall of 2012, he completed the Coastal Operations Course, Phase III, which evaluates students conducting scenarios of operations specific to Kingston-class ships, both in a simulator and at sea.
By distinguishing himself on the course, Lieutenant (Navy) Foran became the third recipient of the Arturo Prat Award, which recognizes leadership skills, seamanship and strong character—values embodied by the Chilean naval hero Arturo Prat, commander of the Esmeralda. Prat perished on May 21, 1879 at Iquique, Chile, during a famous naval battle in which his ship, an 868-tonne wooden corvette, was pitted against the Huáscar, a 1,200-tonne Peruvian armoured turret ship. Realizing that his vessel's manoeuvrability had been reduced by enemy fire, Prat surprised the Peruvians by ordering his decimated crew to board the Huáscar.
SOURCE: ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
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