NR-M-98-33E
Media Advisory
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Canadian Coast Guard
Coast Guard maintains exclusion zone for SwissAir
Flight 111 investigation
September 7, 1998
Dartmouth, N.S. -- The Canadian Coast Guard and
other agencies have received hundreds of calls concerning the exclusion
zone which has been expanded and now closes all waters from Lunenburg Bay
to Sambro Harbour, including all of Mahone Bay and St. Margaret's Bay,
with a southern limit running eastward from Cross Island. This exclusion
zone forbids unauthorized marine traffic and was created to assist the
lead investigative agencies, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada
(TSB) and the RCMP, in the conduct of their investigation into the crash
and recovery of debris and wreckage. It is being broadcast to mariners
in the area as a Notice to Shipping.
The Coast Guard acknowledges that the enforcement of this exclusion
zone is an inconvenience for fishing vessels and recreational boaters in
the area. However, it is very important to maintain the integrity of the
search area and ensure the safety and security of the dozens of Coast Guard,
Coast Guard Auxiliary and Navy vessels assisting the TSB and RCMP in the
recovery operation. The exclusion zone will remain in effect until the
TSB and RCMP advise the Coast Guard that it should be modified or removed.
This will be reviewed by all agencies on a daily basis.
For those fishers who have fixed gear or aquaculture sites in the exclusion
zone, the Coast Guard and other staff from the Department of Fisheries
and Oceans are preparing plans to remove fixed gear or provide for the
maintenance of aquaculture operations. Fixed gear removed will be checked
for any evidence or debris which may have been trapped in it. Fishers affected
by this will be advised of plans by DFO fisheries management and Coast
Guard personnel.
The Coast Guard appreciates the cooperation of those affected by the
exclusion zone, especially those from the local area who have assisted
in various ways throughout the recovery operation. In particular, the Coast
Guard wishes to acknowledge the efforts of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
who have volunteered their efforts continuously since the Swiss Air tragedy
occurred last Wednesday night. Auxiliary members are predominatly local
fishers who receive search and rescue training and volunteer their services
for search and rescue missions.
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For more information, please contact:
Scott Verret
Communications Manager
Coast Guard, Maritimes Region
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(902) 426-6414
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