Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, partners to participate in Maritime Search and Rescue Exercises on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie

Toronto, ON -   The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) with its Search and Rescue partners will conduct maritime emergency exercises in the waters of eastern Lake Erie and western Lake Ontario May 28 and 29 2016.   These exercises are being conducted as part of regular ongoing training between the CCGA, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of National Defence and the Niagara CARES unit of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA).  These exercises will test the shared response to distress incidents on the Great Lakes, to ensure search and rescue teams and agencies are as prepared as possible to respond and rescue people on the water.

On Saturday May 28 CCGA units on Lake Erie - the Sandman III and Port Colborne Marine Rescue (POCOMAR I & II) - will exercise with Canadian Coast Guard crew aboard CCGS Cape Rescue based in Port Dover Ontario and the Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel CCGS Private Robertson V.C.   Air support from 8 Wing Trenton will again be actively participating in this exercise, as will CARES Niagara.

On Sunday May 29 CCGA units based on Lake Ontario - Hamilton Beach Rescue, Grimsby Rescue and Oakville Marine Rescue - will exercise with the Canadian Coast Guard crew aboard CCGS Cape Storm stationed at Port Weller Ontario and the Mid-shore patrol vessel CCGS Corporal Teather.   They will be joined by air support from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Ontario along with CARES Niagara.

Despite the recent warm temperatures, waters remain cold at this time of year and take much longer to warm up compared to the air.  For more information on cold water immersion, please visit http://csbc.ca/en/cold-water-awareness
Emergencies on the water can be reported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, toll-free (within Canada) at 1-800-267-7270, or via marine VHF radio - channel 16.
For Further Information:

Ryan Glaves
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Central and Arctic Region
District 2 Training Coordinator
905-515-9053
Ryan.Glaves@l-3com.com

Carol Launderville
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications Officer
Carol.Launderville@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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