(Photo – Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO 2) Gregory Applin)
On April 15, 2026, the Canadian Forces Military Police (CF MP) charged two members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with multiple service offences as a result of the investigation into the death of Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO 2) Gregory Applin.
Master Sailor (MS) David Terry, serving in His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal at the time of the alleged offences, is charged with the following service offences:
One (1) count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, under section 130 of the National Defence Act (NDA), pursuant to section 221 of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC).
One (1) count of negligent performance of military duties under section 124 of the NDA.
Sailor First Class (S1) Alexandre Garrison, from Naval Fleet School (Atlantic) at the time of the alleged offences, is charged with the following service offences:
One (1) count of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, under section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to sub-section 320.13(3) of the CC.
One (1) count of negligent performance of military duties under section 124 of the NDA.
Quotes
“The Military Police extend their condolences to the family, friends, and shipmates of Petty Officer 2nd Class Gregory Applin. The Military Police recognize the personnel and units of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Canadian Forces Base Halifax for their full and willing participation throughout the investigation.”
Brigadier-General Vanessa Hanrahan, Canadian Forces Provost Marshal
Quick Facts
This update from the CF MP has been shared with the knowledge of PO 2 Applin’s family, who continue to express their wish for privacy as they grieve their loss.
As with all judicial proceedings, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
On the evening of January 24, 2025, PO 2 Applin was travelling in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) in Bedford Basin, near Halifax, Nova Scotia, when the RHIB struck a mooring buoy and capsized.
PO 2 Applin and one other RCN member were rescued by a nearby vessel and transported to hospital, where PO 2 Applin died as a result of the incident.
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Earlier today we received the news that charges have been laid against two of our personnel related to the death of Petty Officer Second Class Gregory Applin. There is no doubt that this is difficult news for all of us, and it highlights the challenging realities of our service in the Royal Canadian Navy. 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.
There will be a fair, independent and impartial process to determine the outcome of these charges and those accused deserve every opportunity to defend themselves. We are also extremely mindful that an incident like this almost never results from a single cause or single error, and it is most likely the outcome 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.
The expectations of all members of the Royal Canadian Navy are clear. We must:
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and safety in all that we do;
• Foster a culture of accountability at every level;
• Look out for one another, speak up when we see risks, and take action to prevent harm; and
• Continually learn and improve from every experience, especially our most difficult ones.
To command teams at all levels: you are entrusted with the responsibility of leadership, oversight, and stewardship of your people and your operations. We expect you to lead with clarity, compassion, and resolve. You must be vigilant, proactive, and uncompromising in enforcing safety standards and operational discipline. The lives of your sailors depend on it.
The loss of one of our own weighs heavily on us all. Let us honour Petty Officer Applin’s memory by committing ourselves to the highest ideals of naval service and ensuring that every sailor returns home safely.
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee Chief Petty Officer First Class Pascal Harel
Commander Royal Canadian Navy Command Chief Petty Officer Royal Canadian Navy
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
