BAMFIELD, British Columbia – The Honourable Gail Shea, Acting Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced the opening of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new $1.25 million National Advanced Boat Operator training facility today. This newly constructed facility along with improvements to existing infrastructure significantly enhance the Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training facility which has been operating in Bamfield since 1985.
“I am proud to be a part of a government that is investing where it counts in the Coast Guard. This new national centre for fast rescue craft operator training will enhance the Coast Guard’s overall ability to respond to emergency situations,” said Minister Shea. “The enhanced training centre provides the right tools to deliver experienced instruction in a real-time, real-world environment.”
Training at the state-of-the-art facility focuses on the advanced high-speed nature of marine Search and Rescue services from all three Coast Guard regions across Canada. The facility provides experienced professionals with the opportunity to operate a twin-engine rigid-hull inflatable boat in open and confined waters under adverse conditions.
As well as Canadian Coast Guard crews, the facility will continue to provide training to the Department of National Defence, U.S. Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Conservation and Protection Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Parks Canada, Canadian Border Services Agency and members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary/Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.
To provide increased space and added flexibility, a new facility including a two-story building that features a large open-concept classroom, change rooms, equipment drying rooms and extensive equipment storage has been constructed. In addition, a new floating breakwater and dock will be completed soon and will provide increased space for vessels and on-water operations.
Coast Guard is also pleased to work with Industry Canada and Virtual Marine Technology Ltd. to evaluate and integrate a new state-of-the-art small boat simulator that will allow participants to simulate high-speed operations in dangerous situations such as nighttime, dense fog, heavy traffic and confined space transit. In addition, the simulator’s electronic navigation tools such as radar, a Global Positioning System and chart plotter will give the students the opportunity to become familiar with the equipment before getting out on the water. The simulator was funded through Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program.
The opening of the new National Advanced Boat Operator training facility in Bamfield is another significant milestone marking the Canadian Coast Guard’s 50th Anniversary. Starting January 26th, events and activities celebrating Coast Guard’s 50 years of service have been held throughout the year in communities across the country.
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