In this painting, an officer of the Royal Canadian Navy's examination service (right, climbing ladder) boards a merchant ship to verify its documents and inspect its cargo.

Traffic control and ship inspection were critical duties at busy wartime ports crowded with merchant ships. After the devastating Halifax Explosion of December 1917, involving the collision of a heavily-loaded munitions ship with another vessel, examination officers paid particular attention to explosives.

Examination Officer Boarding Merchant Ship
Painted by Donald C. Mackay
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-4218