Canadian military police have charged two members of the Royal Canadian Navy in the death last year of a sailor who was aboard a small military boat that capsized in Halifax harbour.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Gregory Applin was one of two sailors who were thrown into the cold water on the night of Jan. 24, 2025.
The Canadian Armed Forces says Applin and an unnamed sailor were travelling in a rigid-hull inflatable boat when it struck a mooring buoy and flipped over.
Both sailors were rescued by the crew aboard a nearby vessel and taken to hospital, where Applin later died.
The military says Sailor First Class Alexandre Garrison has been charged under military law with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, and one count of negligent performance of military duties.
Master Sailor David Terry has been charged under military law with one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and one count of negligent performance of military duties.
The navy’s chief commander, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, issued a statement saying the charges highlight the “challenging realities” of military service.
“We operate in a demanding environment where mistakes and errors can have fatal consequences, and we must be accountable for our actions and our inactions,” Topshee said, adding that this kind of incident is most likely the result of a combination of factors.
“Accountability is not limited to legal proceedings; it is a principle that guides our profession and maintains the trust placed in us by Canadians."
Topshee also said the navy’s commanders “must be vigilant, proactive, and uncompromising in enforcing safety standards and operational discipline. The lives of (our) sailors depend on it.”
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
