Seasonal closure of Canadian Coast Guard inshore rescue boat stations in Ontario

SARNIA, ONTARIO – The Canadian Coast Guard wishes to advise the public that its Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) stations in Ontario are wrapping up their seasonal maritime search and rescue service. The Coast Guard's IRB stations are located at Britt, Brebeuf Island, Hill Island, Port Lambton, Thames River and Long Point. These stations open each May and will be operational until Wednesday, September 6, 2017.

The Inshore Rescue Boat program employs post-secondary students to provide additional maritime search and rescue service during the busy summer season. The Coast Guard's Search and Rescue lifeboat stations across the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay are staffed by Coast Guard personnel and will remain in service until November/December, and re-open in the spring.

Marine emergencies can be called into the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-267-7270 or to a Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre by VHF radio (channel 16) or by dialing *16 on a cell phone.  For additional information on the Canadian Coast Guard's search and rescue services, please visit: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/sar/home.

For more information on the Inshore Rescue Boat program please visit: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/SAR/IRB-Background.

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Photo legend: On July 7 2017 a Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat crew from Thames River Ontario rescued two men after their small fishing boat capsized on northeastern Lake St. Clair.  Both men were wearing personal floatation devices, an important factor in their survival.  Photo courtesy of USCG Air Station Detroit