The calm, dark grey surface of Esquimalt harbour is the first sign of the smooth sail ahead for the warship being prepared for a day-long voyage.

B次元官网网址淗eave it on six handsomely,B次元官网网址� comes the bosunB次元官网网址檚 call on the quarterdeck of HMCS Vancouver.

Just as quickly he gives the stop order to three sailors working in synchronized unison to unwind a thick white rope from a spool on deck. B次元官网网址淎vast!B次元官网网址� he barks.

Three more sailors brace themselves to haul in another heavy rope before the ship can pull away from a dockyard jetty. B次元官网网址淗eave it on six, hand over hand, slowly!B次元官网网址�

This language is one of the hallmarks of the boatswain or bosun trade, one of the most ancient professional sailor trades in the Canadian Navy.

The sailors working the frigateB次元官网网址檚 lines arenB次元官网网址檛 all bosuns, but everyone must be able to pitch in where needed.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e a sailor first and a tradesperson second,B次元官网网址� says Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Conlon, who began his navy career as a bosun 28 years ago.

Some aspects of his trade have been replaced by more efficient methods. The bosunB次元官网网址檚 call was once used regularly to direct sailors in their work.

Still, there is a place for the past, even as the navy is modernized to prepare for new and evolving threats and challenges.

B次元官网网址淵ou still need that knowhow of old sailors to go hand in hand with new techniques,B次元官网网址� Conlon says.

B次元官网网址淵ou still need the people in order to bring the ship alongside. Technology canB次元官网网址檛 do that, people can.B次元官网网址�

The lines used by bosuns on board must all pass through the hands of skilled tradespeople working in the rigging loft at CFB Esquimalt.

A riggerB次元官网网址檚 skills continue to be in high demand at the naval base, whether itB次元官网网址檚 to string an intricate web of fibre ropes along a shipB次元官网网址檚 deck or install wire ropes used to crane in supplies on the vessels.

After thousands of years, rigging has become a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of the rigging we make, you canB次元官网网址檛 buy anywhere,B次元官网网址� says master rigger Terry Schafer, who estimates he ties hundreds of knots a week, including 50 different kinds. B次元官网网址淓verything is calculated. ItB次元官网网址檚 very technical.B次元官网网址�

Stepping inside the circa-1891 dockyard rigging loft where he works is like stepping into the past.

There, four journeymen transform rope into usable lines, and pass down their expertise to four apprentices just as they were instructed, though with stricter weight-bearing requirements and safety standards.

Their skills are also required elsewhere on base, 16 storeys up on cranes where they maintain hoist cables used to lift and transfer heavy loads. Schafer will never forget the first time he went up.

B次元官网网址淚 said to myself, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檙e an apprentice rigger. If you want pay day in two weeks you better get out there,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he recalls with a chuckle.

More than three decades later he is trying to inspire young people to embrace his ancient trade.

Every summer high school and post-secondary students come to the rigging loft to gain a new appreciation for a little-known career that is far from becoming obsolete.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always looking for a next-generation rigger,B次元官网网址� Schafer says.

B次元官网网址⑩赌⑩赌�

Back on board HMCS Vancouver, Leading Seaman Clayton Mills is always prepared for the worst.

When the hull technician responds to an emergency, there is likely a critical problem with the ship, such as a fire main break or a hole in the hull or bulkhead caused by a collision or attack.

There are five hull techs and their three supervisors who must direct the battle against flooding. While much of their trade has changed, there are still timeless techniques that continue to work best.

While the supports they use to shore leaks and floods are metal, they still rely on the traditional use of wood beams because, as Mills says, wood floats, making the beams easier to manipulate.

B次元官网网址淵ou might be shoring a hatch that might be three feet under water,B次元官网网址� he explains.

B次元官网网址⑩赌⑩赌�

Up on the third deck, action in the galley is just heating up as cooks filter in to prepare the mid-day meal.

Two large stainless steel pots simmer away, but even with about 240 officers and crew to feed, the pressure in the galley never reaches the boiling point.

B次元官网网址淎bsolutely, itB次元官网网址檚 a challenging trade,B次元官网网址� says Master Cpl. Tom Chester, who has been cooking for all of his 28 years in the military. B次元官网网址淭hey say weB次元官网网址檙e the heart of the ship.B次元官网网址�

Five meals must be plated seven days a week, even though sea conditions might not be conducive to cooking, or hearty eating for that matter. The team of cooks toil away even when the ship is running down pirates or drug runners.

B次元官网网址淗owever long (the military) has been around, cooks have been around,B次元官网网址� Chester says before checking in on Ordinary Seaman Adrien Radhuber, who is toasting an endless supply of hotdog and hamburger buns.

ItB次元官网网址檚 the new cookB次元官网网址檚 first day on board a navy ship.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good first day,B次元官网网址� the 20-year-old says calmly, belying the tight deadline he faces. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty exciting and it feels good to know how things are at sea.B次元官网网址�

Canadian military cooks are well known in militaries around the world for their ability to put on a bountiful spread, as is their talent for serving tasty soups at the daily 10 oB次元官网网址檆lock stand easy, or break.

B次元官网网址淪ome people get truly bent if they donB次元官网网址檛 get it,B次元官网网址� says Sub-Lt. Rowan Wilson, an officer on the Vancouver.

The soup menu is plentiful: tomato, chicken noodle, seafood chowder, creamed corn, French onion and taco soup made from leftovers.

B次元官网网址淎dd a little Tabasco and itB次元官网网址檚 mmm,B次元官网网址� Wilson says appreciatively.

B次元官网网址淎 little cup of soup will bring you right up,B次元官网网址� agrees his colleague Sub-Lt. Mark Fifield.

Mid-morning soup may seem like one of those traditions that could one day disappear from navy life, just as other aspects have.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e lost a lot of the hands-on skills as more and more things become automated,B次元官网网址� Conlon says. B次元官网网址淭he military has changed its role too.B次元官网网址�

Still, there is room for the old and new even as the Canadian Navy evolves to remain a relevant force at home and abroad.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to know where you come from,B次元官网网址� says Conlon. B次元官网网址淭raditions are important. Some things canB次元官网网址檛 change.B次元官网网址�

emccracken@vicnews.com