Thursday, March 28, 2024

Canadian Coast Guard opens new search and rescue station in Victoria

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Canadian Coast Guard marine search and rescue operations in Victoria got a huge boost this week with the opening of a new search and rescue station in James Bay.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) made the announcement outside the Victoria Canadian Coast Guard Base on Friday.

“We are committed to ensuring the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard have the equipment and resources they need to ensure the safety of mariners, and protect the marine environment,” said Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans.

The federal government identified the eastern and central Strait of Juan de Fuca as an area that would benefit from increased capacity.

“[The station] will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to marine incidents of all kinds, including search and rescue and environmental response.”

The new station will be home to a 14.7-metre lifeboat and a rigid hull inflatable boat.

The Coast Guard is opening four new search and rescue stations in the province as part of the federal government’s $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan with the intent of improving marine safety and protecting Canada’s marine environment and coastal communities.

The other B.C. stations will be located in Hartley Bay, Nootka Sound, and Port Renfrew.

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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