Coast Guard

 On the sea and in the air, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) protects and serves the coastal waters of Canada.  An organization that has been recognized for forty years, the idea of the Coast Guard has been around and in practice for decades longer.

 The Coast Guard of Canada consists of both the Coast Guard units and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the volunteer organization that works alongside them.  A department of the Fisheries and Oceans Ministry, the Coast Guard has five distinct regions: Pacific, Maritimes, Quebec, Central and Arctic and Newfoundland.  Each region has numerous units that patrol and protect the waters of Canada.  They protect and provide Search and Rescue for all areas of Federal Responsibility.  The Pacific Region alone is responsible for 560,000 sq. km of ocean and 23,000 sq. km of coastline.

The Search and Rescue teams of the Coast Guard and its Auxiliary groups have a set objective: to save 100 of the lives put in danger on the water.  They want to help reduce the number of incidents that occur on the water by promoting boating safety.  The Coast Guard serves as a point of learning for anyone interested in boating safety.  In addition to providing courses on boating safety, the members of the Coast Guard participate in equipment demonstrations, boat shows and safe boating displays every year.

 The Canadian Coast Guard consists of many highly skilled and trained men and women who have made marine protection their lives.  There fleet includes vehicle for both land and air, to help provide the best possible support for any situation that may occur on the oceans of Canada.

 Included in detecting and assisting in marine rescue and safety, the Coast Guard plays a vital role in providing weather information for both Environment Canada and the mariners.  The Coast Guard operates Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centers collected from weather observations from vessels on the water and in the air.  This information is sent to the Weather Centers and forecast on marine radio.

 While the Canadian Coast Guard was officially formed in the 1960’s, the volunteer organizations officially started in the late 1970’s.  Highly supported by its parent organization the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCAG) has become as strong as institution.  Funded both by the government and privately, the CCGA provides the same services as the CCG.  They are a group of dedicated men and women, mostly from the marine industry, that volunteer there time to help the CCG promote and protect the waters of Canada.

 They do a tireless job that needs to be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.  The CCGA participates in approximately 1/3 of all Search and Rescue incidents with the CCG.

 The main concern and priority of the Canadian Coast Guard is the safe practice of boating operation.  They offer courses and programs to teach people how to be as safe as possible on the water.  By September 2002, all operators of pleasure craft under 4m must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Competency (PCOC) course that is accredited by the Coast Guard.  By September 2009 all operators will be required to carry this credential.

 No matter what the individual outcome of any operation may be, the highly trained individuals that make up the CCG and CCGA will be there to help and save those on the waters of Canada.