Marine Search and Rescue in Vancouver

February 2013

The first priority of the Canadian Coast Guard is, and always will be the safety of mariners. The Canadian Coast Guard is continuing to fulfill its mandate within the Vancouver area by providing the marine component of the federal search and rescue program through the combined collaborative efforts of resources at Coast Guard Station Sea Island, the new inshore rescue boat station at HMSC Discovery, local Royal Canadian Marine - Search and Rescue resources, and our continued partnerships with local emergency responders.

CCG’s Search and Rescue responsibilities in Vancouver:

Coast Guard’s primary mandate is to respond to maritime search and rescue incidents involving a vessel or person(s) from a vessel, within Federal Canadian waters.

The Canadian Coast Guard consistently meets or exceeds international search and rescue response time standards.

Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue Units can also be used to support other emergency services agencies, upon request and not as a primary responder. These humanitarian (non Marine Search and Rescue) missions are undertaken when Coast Guard resources are available and capable, and when it will not impact core maritime search and rescue services. Examples of these types of incidents include medical evacuations from isolated areas and assisting municipal emergency services.

Non-distress incidents are those situations where a mariner requires assistance but is not in immediate danger, such as a vessel requiring fuel, or a tow. In these situations the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officers are expected to help arrange assistance from commercial providers in the Vancouver area.

Royal Canadian Marine – Search and Rescue resources in Vancouver:

The Canadian search and rescue system relies on search and rescue partners, including Royal Canadian Marine – Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR), to deliver search and rescue service. Through dedicated volunteerism, the RCM-SAR (the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary on the Pacific coast) augments the response capacity in Canada’s search and rescue system. Regionally, this group responds to approximately 25% to 30% of annual marine search and rescue calls.

In the Vancouver a group of dedicated volunteers operates five RCM-SAR units:

Station 01 – West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)       
Station 02 – North Vancouver (Second Narrows bridge)
Station 10 – North Richmond & Steveston               
Station 08 – Delta
Station 05 – Crescent Beach

The Canadian Coast Guard provides annual contributions to the six Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary corporations across Canada to cover certain expenses such as operations, training and administration. This annual contribution also covers insurance while it is engaged in authorized Search and Rescue operations and activities. In June 2012, the government increased its annual contribution to Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue in British Columbia to enhance its presence in downtown Vancouver.

Details regarding the Vancouver Inshore Rescue Boat:

Consistent with Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat Program, establishing a new seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat station at HMCS Discovery in the Vancouver Harbour will provide increased search and rescue capacity during the peak summer operational season. The station will start operations by the May long weekend and will continue in operation until after Labour Day in September. It joins Coast Guard’s 24 other Inshore Rescue Boat Stations across Canada.

The Inshore Rescue Boat program has been an excellent search and rescue resource throughout the country, and provides similar level of services as full time Search and Rescue Stations. Reaction times are on par with other Lifeboat stations.

Who are the players in the Vancouver Search and Rescue Plan?

The search and rescue system does not rely on one resource to respond to incidents. In Vancouver, a network of resources including federal government resources, volunteer organizations, local emergency responders, and vessels of opportunity can be tasked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Esquimalt to respond to the Search and Rescue distress incidents. 

  • Primary: Canadian Coast Guard Station Sea Island, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Vancouver IRB Station (peak season).
  • Secondary: All other Federal Assets.
  • Municipal: Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Fire Department.
  • Vessels of Opportunity: Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, all vessels within a certain area may be directed to provide assistance.
  • Vessel Assist:  Marine Commercial Assistance providers are available in Vancouver area for assistance with mechanical breakdowns or towing.

Following the successful completion of the second of many planned search and rescue exercises in the Vancouver area on February 18th, 2013, the Canadian Coast Guard is fully confident that the new Vancouver search and rescue plan is ready for full implementation.