Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat crews wrapping up 2020 operations

September 8, 2020 - Sarnia, Ontario – The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) stations in Ontario are wrapping up their seasonal maritime search and rescue service. The stations are located at Britt, Brebeuf Island, Hill Island, Port Lambton, Thames River, and Long Point.  Their regular operations will end on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

Depending on service demand and operational availability, some of these stations may remain open on select weekends (Friday to Sunday) until Monday, October 12, 2020, at which time all service will be closed for the season.

The IRB program, a component of the Coast Guard’s search and rescue 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, weather permitting.

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; 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/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/irb-esc/index-eng.html.