My
civilian career spanned the years between 1970 and 1998 and as you know, a lot
of changes took place in marine communications during that time. I won't even
attempt to list the name changes that were applied to my position(s) over the
years, in fact I can't remember a lot of them!
1969: Completed 8 years in Royal Canadian Navy in the Communications Research
Branch both as a Radio Operator (1961-67) and a Radio Technician (1967-69).
1970: Was a successful candidate in a competition for a position at Marine Info
Ontario (MIO), Ministry of Transport, Marine Services, Marine Hydraulics
Division, located in Port Weller, Ontario
1973: MIO transferred to Sarnia, Ontario, renamed "Coast Guard Traffic Centre
Sarnia". I eventually became a Watch Supervisor.
1988: Successful in a competition for Regional Standards and Training Officer,
VTS, Central Region. Worked with other CG Regions to establish a national
training program for VTS marine traffic regulators in addition to Regional
duties.
Between 1988 and my retirement, VTS and RO amalgamated to become MCTS, Marine
Communications and Traffic Services, and it became part of Fisheries and Oceans
rather than Transport. My position was renamed "Operations Specialist" in the
new MCTS branch but I remained active in training, particularly in the
cross-training which taught VTS personnel how to be radio operators, and vice
versa.
1998: Retired in March.
Gord Walker