The Coast Guard in the Maritimes

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) vessels are a common sight for those of us living in, or visiting the Maritimes. In fact, the CCG’s distinctive red and white colours are instantly recognizable to most of us. However, many people don’t realize the magnitude and scope of the Canadian Coast Guard’s responsibilities.

Coast Guard employees in the Maritimes Region provide vital services to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, with the main objective of providing safe and accessible waterways. This is quite a task considering the three Maritime provinces combined cover approximately 10,000 kilometres of coastline.

The Coast Guard helps keep our waters safe and protects the marine and freshwater environment. It facilitates maritime commerce via its role in maintaining an accessible and sustainable maritime transportation system. It supports scientific research and the conservation and protection of aquatic life. And, thanks to the CCG’s navigational, waterways, traffic, and ice-breaking services the Maritimes’, and all of Canada’s, waterways, are among the safest in the world.

Safety at sea is a huge priority for the CCG; this is evident through its first class search and rescue operations that boast a 97 percent success rate. The Region’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (where aircraft and marine emergencies search and rescue operations are coordinated), is staffed by the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Coast Guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The CCG’s work also has an international dimension. Canada’s international obligations in safety, security and environmental protection - such as the International Conventions on Maritime Search and Rescue, Oil Pollution Preparedness, and Safety of Life at Sea - are fulfilled through Coast Guard programs and activities.

But the Coast Guard doesn’t do it all alone; it works in cooperation with several government departments and agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, DND, the Canadian Border Services Agency, Environment Canada, Health Canada and Transport Canada. For example, in April 2007, when a boat suspected of carrying illegal migrants was headed for Halifax Harbour, many of the above mentioned federal departments and agencies worked together with provincial and municipal interests to take the necessary precautions.

The Canso Canal is a man-made waterway, situated between mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. The Coast Guard is responsible for managing this vital link through the Strait of Canso. Primarily the canal caters to commercial type vessels with approximately 85 per cent of the traffic belonging to shipping companies, fishermen and various government vessels. Pleasure craft make up the remaining 15 per cent of the local traffic. During the navigational season, from April until December, it is operational 24 hours a day for 7 days per week. There is a yearly average of 2,300 vessels that transit through the Canal.

Additionally, because of its many programs in the far north, the CCG demonstrates Canada’s maritime sovereignty in the Arctic. The CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent recently left Dartmouth for a four-month voyage to the Artic. During the voyage, DFO staff will conduct scientific research, clear commercial shipping lanes and bring badly needed supplies to Canada’s northern communities.

For decades, highly skilled CCG employees have worked, often in perilous conditions, to provide essential services to Canadians. They work hard to ensure our rugged and picturesque coastlines are accessible and safe for both work and play.

The red and white ships of the CCG have become not only familiar but also comforting sights to maritime communities.

(Nancy Hurlburt is the assistant commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Maritimes Region.)