The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal search and rescue stations in Cap-aux-Meules, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Kegaska, Québec City, Rivière-au-Renard and Tadoussac have now resumed operations. Our six search and rescue vessels in the Saint-Lawrence sector were deployed on Wednesday, March 27, and have reached their respective bases.
The Government of Canada is committed to addressing problem vessels that impact our marine environment and communities on our coasts. Earlier this month, the Canadian Coast Guard operation to remove and safely dismantle the tug Craig Trans near Marie Joseph, Nova Scotia was successfully completed.
Our search and rescue stations on the Great Lakes are open for the season. Remember that waterways remain very cold at this time of year and take much longer to warm up than the air. Make sure to be safe when out on the water.
The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents of Thunder Bay, Ontario that the CCGS Samuel Risley will carry out icebreaking operations in the area on or around March 22, 2024. The purpose of this operation is to break up the ice to allow commercial vessels safe and efficient movement.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, met today with Commandant Admiral Linda L. Fagan at the United States Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to discuss the close partnership between the two coast guards on maritime safety and protection. This visit comes on the heels of the Canadian and United States Coast Guards signing an updated Memorandum of Understanding on February 15, 2024, renewing the two organizations’ coordination of icebreaking and buoy tending operations on the Great Lakes, connecting waterways, and the shared portion of the St. Lawrence River.
The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents and visitors along the Saguenay Fjord that the CCGS Amundsen will begin spring icebreaking operations as early as Monday, March 11, 2024. The date is subject to change with no notice, as activities could begin before or after that period, depending on operational requirements or weather conditions.
The Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous communities across the country to improve safety on the water through the Oceans Protection Plan. Indigenous communities are often the first to respond to marine incidents in remote areas and are an instrumental partner in our search and rescue system.