Navy confirms identity of sailor who died after vessel capsized in Bedford Basin

Gregory Applin, a 38-year-old weapons engineering technician, died after a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) capsized in the Bedford Basin Friday night, the Royal Canadian Navy has confirmed.

Commodore Jacob French said Applin, a 19-year member of the Navy, died at the QEII Hospital after rescue teams pulled him from the Bedford Basin after 10 p.m. on Friday. The incident is under investigation.

“This is a very tragic moment for us,” French said during a press conference. “We’re doing our utmost to provide details to the family.”

French said HMCS Montreal was conducting sonar performance trials in the Bedford Basin last weekend. Applin and a boat coxswain boarded a RIB from the ship and headed back to the dockyard Friday night.

French said the vessel capsized, sending both sailors into the water. The temperature was -10 C that night with five-to-10 knot winds. Waves were less than a metre high.

The sailors called 911 and a rescue boat was deployed to pick them up. They went to hospital where Applin died. The coxswain was later released.

French said the RIB is 24-feet long and can usually carry 10 passengers. He said at this point they have no reason to believe there’s anything unsafe about the RIBs and they have no plans to stop operations with them.

HMCS Montreal returned to the dockyard on Saturday and the trials have been paused for now.

Applin joined the Navy in 2005 and served nearly 500 days on HMC ships. He was recently deployed to the Indo-Pacific region aboard HMCS Montreal under Operation HORIZON in 2024.

He also served as an instructor at Naval Fleet School Atlantic.

“Petty Officer Applin was a dedicated sailor, husband and father,” said Rear-Admiral Josee Kurtz in a news release. “My sincere condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. May you take comfort in your memories and know that we are here to support you.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page