Interview with Lieutenant Commander Timothy Flath

Narrator: Lieutenant Commander Timothy Flath Interviewer: John Thomson Interview Date and Location Thursday, February 29, 2024 - Royal Canadian Legion, Langford, British Columbia, In-person Synopsis of the Interview: Lieutenant Commander Flath was born in 1960 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His father was in the Canadian military so his family lived in many different locations. He joined the RCN in Calgary, Alberta in 1986 and he completed his initial training at CFOCS Chilliwack, B.C. Flath held many different positions in the navy, including Maritime Surface Officer (MARS), Bridge Watchkeeper, Above Water Weapons Officer, and Dive Officer, before qualifying as a Clearance Diver. He explains that he became a Clearance Diver because it was an interesting and challenging profession. Flath was never bored, there were always projects to complete, there was never any “down time”, and he was tasked with many responsibilities. He was also able to participate in exchanges with the U.S. Navy in order further his training and to learn about their procedures and practises. Flath discusses his participation in the recovery of military munitions from a lake in the Yukon and he mentions the role of Clearance Divers in Afghanistan, in the recovery of items from the Swiss Air 111 disaster, and the assistance to a tragic collision between a fishing vessel and a barge in Active Pass, B.C. In addition, he discusses his role as a ship’s diver in the recovery of a large number of people on a derelict vessel near Vietnam. Flath concludes the interview by highlighting his participation in the scuttling of a U.S. aircraft carrier near Hawaii and by highly recommending, to young people, a career as a Clearance Diver in the RCN. Interview Time Log: 00:59 - 01:49 – Early life before joining the military. 01:50 – 02:50 – Inspiration for joining the military. 03:11- 03:32 – Initial training in Chilliwack, British Columbia (CFOCS). 03:33 – 04:30 – Postings after initial training: Gunnery Officer, driving a warship, Naval Boarding Officer, Ship’s Team Diver. Motivation to become a Clearance Diver. 05:31 – 06:56 – Explanation of duties of a Ship’s Team Diver. 06:57 – 08:00 – Reason for getting into Clearance Diving. 08:06 – 10:52 – Responsibilities as a Clearance Diver. 10:55 – 16:14 – Role as a Demolitions Officer relating to Clearance Diving. 16:30 – 19:34 – EOD Officer exchange with the U.S. Navy. 19:36 – 21:33 – Assisting other Branches of the CAF. 21:46 – 26:51 – Routine, everyday tasks of a Clearance Diver. 26:52 – 35:10 – Most difficult task, emotionally and/or physically, that a Clearance Diver would be required to undertake. 35:12 – 38:39 – Involvement in “historically significant incidents”. 38:41 – 43:48 – Participation in recovery of Boat People near Vietnam. 44:13 – 50:50 – Career Highlights. 50:55 – 54:22 – Concluding comments. Significant Stand-Outs in the Interview: Routine, everyday tasks of a Clearance Diver. EOD, Lake La Barge, Yukon. Swiss Air 111 disaster. Fishing boat/barge collision in Active Pass, B.C. Scuttling a U.S. aircraft carrier assault ship.

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