A love of the water that began in Napanee and Amherstview has taken Chantelle Lasher across the Atlantic Ocean and into a career with the Canadian Coast Guard.
Lasher, a 2026 graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard Academy’s Navigation Officer Training Program, said growing up around local lakes and waterways helped shape her future.
While she considered careers ranging from marine biology to firefighting, she said learning about the Coast Guard in high school immediately caught her attention.
Since entering the academy, Lasher has gained experience aboard Coast Guard vessels operating in Canada’s Arctic and beyond. She said many people associate the organization solely with search and rescue, but its responsibilities are much broader.
One of her most memorable experiences came aboard the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier in Alaska, where she encountered Arctic wildlife up close.
Following graduation, Lasher will begin her career in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She encouraged young people interested in maritime careers to explore opportunities with the Coast Guard.
Written by Emily Chatwood
