Craig Blake, slain Afghanistan vet, honoured with namesake ferry

The newest passenger ferry in Halifax will be named after the first Canadian sailor killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

Halifax Transit says the vessel will be called Craig Blake, a petty officer second class from Halifax who was part of an elite navy diving group that specializes in neutralizing bombs.

The 37-year-old married father of two was serving with Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic when he was killed by an improvised explosive device in 2010, only a few weeks after he arrived in Afghanistan.

His name was the top choice among 11,000 votes submitted by residents last month.

The ferry is scheduled to go into service this summer.