District 8 C&A - 2010 AGM Report

District 8 Annual Report February 20, 2010

Annual General Meeting
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
Central and Arctic Region

President
Directors
General Membership

This past summer, District 8 had the pleasure of hosting a major SAREX. The exercise took place in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg on July 18, 2009.

The exercise started on the water but then quickly moved to include an intensive ground search. The following agencies were involved: CCG, CCGA, RCMP, EMO, and CASARA.

There were 4 Auxiliary vessels that participated, Lady Roberta, Maxine, Gilligan and Ole Jan together with many other coxswains and crews that were not able to be on their own vessel. As expected, each vessel was tasked to perform an initial search pattern in an attempt to locate the stricken vessel. During this phase of the exercise, additional information was given that some survivors had made it to shore whereupon a ground search was initiated on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.  Some of the auxiliary vessels were then tasked to ferry ground search personnel and equipment from one side of the lake to the other.

It goes without saying, that the on-the-water training was beneficial to not only the auxiliary but to all agencies involved in the event.

Not surprisingly, the greatest obstacle was radio communication. As is often usual, each agency has difficulty communicating with other agencies. CCGA and CCG communications were more than satisfactory, however, communications between the CCG and the RCMP and EMO were problematic due to differences in radio frequencies. A significant amount of planning occurred before the exercise and the follow up meeting will undoubtedly provide strong recommendations for the next SAREX in District 8. District 8 acknowledges the organizational effort that Wolf Kraft contributed to the success of the exercise.

Both the President, Gary Endecott, and the Training Director, Jim Aitken, worked along side auxiliarists observing and providing support when needed. During the exercise, CCGA vessels were inspected and provided another opportunity for training. Mark Gagnon, the CCG SAR Training Officer and Kathleen Getty, the CCGA Co-coordinator also attended to assist with the SAREX. District 8 CCGA members very much appreciated the leadership given by these visitors to Manitoba as well as the contribution from all the other agencies that participated.    

As Director, I look forward to the continued support of the Auxiliary in District 8 and our continued association with the other districts in Central and Arctic Region.

Respectfully submitted,
George D. Bush
Director District 8  

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