Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, partners to participate in Maritime Search and Rescue Exercises on Lake Erie May 26, Lake Ontario May 27 2018

Toronto, ON -   The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) with its Search and Rescue partners will exercise their search and rescue skills in the waters of eastern Lake Erie Saturday May 26, and on western Lake Ontario May 27 2018.  

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 26 CCGA units on Lake Erie - the Dirt Water Fox, Fort Erie Fire Rescue, Niagara Regional Police and Port Colborne Marine Rescue (POCOMAR I & II) - will exercise with the crew aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Lambton, a motor lifeboat based in Port Dover Ontario.  

Air support from the CARES Niagara and LAP London units of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) will also participate.
On Sunday May 27 CCGA units based on western Lake Ontario - Hamilton Beach Rescue (HBRU), Grimsby Rescue (GAMRU) and Town of Oakville Water-Air Rescue Force (TOWARF) - will exercise with Canadian Coast Guard crews aboard CCGS Cape Storm stationed at Port Weller Ontario.  

They will be joined by air support from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Ontario along with CARES Niagara and LAP London.

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

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