Opened in 1965
The Canadian Coast Guard College (CCGC) is a dynamic national maritime training facility located on Canada's East Coast, on scenic Cape Breton Island. It provides training and services in both official languages.Opened in 1965, the CCGC built a solid reputation on a foundation of quality service and top-notch maritime training. As a residential facility that provides training in both official languages, the CCGC remains unique in the world. Established on the abandoned Point Edward Naval Base, the CCGC offered young men the opportunity to train in either Marine Navigation or Engineering, in the 4-year Officer Cadet Training Program (OCTP). The work was demanding but successful graduates were guaranteed a position with the Coast Guard Fleet. In 1974 the CCGC welcomed women into the OCTP program and the very first simulator arrived. With the 1980s came the grand opening of the modern CCGC complex in its new Westmount location. The complex included an Administration/Training and Residential building. It was during this time that the CCGC's expertise was called upon. Commonwealth Caribbean nationals were coming to the College for Maritime Training. In the next 10-years, 254 students from seventeen countries and states such as: Jamaica, Barbados and the Trinidad-Tobago received training to improve their Coast Guard capabilities.
Expansion
By the mid-1980s the College was expanding its recreational facilities. Built under one roof were a 170-foot long gym and a 25-metre swimming pool. Following the expansion of the residential block came the construction of a control station, a reception and waiting area, boardroom, chapel, storage area and a central link that would connect the new and old residences. It was around the same time that Transport Canada decided to fund a new Machine Shop (used to train engineers in machining, welding and engine maintenance) and Boathouse (used for seamanship and small boat handling training). Up until the mid-eighties practical training for engineering and navigation cadets had been done at the facilities built before 1965 by the Navy. After completion, the new Engineering Training Facility was almost three times the size of the old Point Edward shop, housing simulators and classrooms.
18th Century Charts Donated to CGCC
In 1988 Dr. A. W. Gyorfi donated a rare piece of nautical history to the CCGC. The collection consisted of 28 authentic charts by 18th-century cartographers such as d'Anville, Bellin, Chabert and Jeffreys. Putting the collection together, Gyorfi concentrated on Cape Breton, particularly Louisbourg and the smaller fortress locales, which supported the French presence here. He also included elements of the extended sphere of French influence, such as the mainland of Nova Scotia, the lower Gulf of the St. Lawrence, and the southeast coast of Newfoundland. Because his collection included English cartographers whose charts treat the same geographical area, the viewer can see at a glance the historical struggles for possession of this territory that occurred between the two principal powers of the day. The collection remains on display in the CCGC's library.
The 1990s
In the 1990s the CCGC was becoming known internationally. Following the presentation of a paper on the standardisation of language at sea, the CCGC was asked by those attending the International Maritime Lectures Association (IMLA) to create a world standard. The AngloSea program was developed and delivered by CCGC delegates in countries such as Vietnam and Hong Kong. Around the same time Sydney Coast Guard Radio moved its operations to the CCGC.
1990 marked the 25th anniversary of the CCGC, with a total of 771 having graduated from the Officer Cadet Training Program (OCTP). In 1992 the federal government's Maritime Training Centre was moved to the CCGC from Cornwall Ontario, bringing with it Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), Radio Operations (RO), Logistics and Search and Rescue (SAR) departments.
In response to the dwindling demand for new Coast Guard Officers in the early 1990s, the College reduced the number of OCTP Candidates it was accepting and began the challenge of charting a new direction and focus. The college had moved from a single purpose OCTP facility to a multi-faceted complex. Immediately changes were made to the College's cluster style accommodations to reflect the newer short-term training taking place at the college. One classroom was re-configured to a Rescue Co-ordination Centre for the SAR Department and the most advanced RCC simulator in the world was installed. Other new simulators were ordered such as the Blind Pilotage Simulator (with an out-of-the window Norview 2000 visual display system), the PPT 2000 Propulsion Plant Trainer Simulator and the Vessel Traffic Services Simulator. The very first CCGC graduates from the National Marine Traffic Regulator's program took their positions with the Canadian Vessel Traffic Services Centres. During this time the SAR department travelled to Taiwan to exhibit and demonstrate their latest equipment.
Today
In the last few years, the Coast Guard has revived its OCTP by accepting students from the Middle East; presently the Middle East students account for almost half of the OCTP students. A relatively new program at the CCGC is the Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Basic Training. This 9-month program reflects the amalgamation of VTS and RO positions and instructs students in marine traffic regulating procedures and radio communications. In February of 2002 the College added another new program: Ships Crew Officer Training Program (SCOT Program). The two-year SCOT Program is specifically targeted to permanent crewmen who want to up-grade to the officer position. Other interesting additions to CCGC curriculum are the Environmental Response courses, such as the Marine Spill Response Operations Course and the On-Scene Commander Course, which are delivered to government departments and private sector individuals involved in oil spill response. The Search and Rescue (SAR) section of the College has courses available such as the comprehensive Small Vessel Command Course. This 9-week course presents a model of operations for a typical Coast Guard Lifeboat Station or Small Vessel Station. SAR is also involved in delivering custom-tailored training and SAR System analysis, as well as technical and software support for the Canadian Search and Rescue Planning Program (CANSARP).
Most of the training at the Coast Guard College involves the use of Simulators. Simulators provide the safest, most effective and controlled environments for learning such skills as traffic regulating procedures and distress communications. There are six very sophisticated simulators housed at the college with over 50 training positions.
- The Vessel Traffic Service Simulator
- Blind Pilotage Simulator
- Marine Propulsion Plant Simulator
- Marine Radio Operators Simulator
- Rescue Co-ordination Centre Simulator (which is in the process of expanding)
- Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Simulator. (This simulator was developed at the College in co-operation with Internav.)
Just a short drive from Sydney, the CCGC offers a convenient location for community and government conferences. The College provides accommodations, meeting rooms, classrooms, convention facilities, (including audio-visual equipment) for seminars, workshops and presentations. The complex is wired with state-of-the-art telecommunications services and technological support. Additional facilities available are auditorium, banquet, planetarium, library, lounges and a cafeteria. The D'Iberville building houses the college's Wellness Centre, with recreational facilities including a swimming pool, fitness room, gymnasium and squash court.
The CCGC is in an unparalleled location when it comes to privacy and security. Twenty-four hour commissionairs are stationed at the gatehouse and around the college. For added security there is a photo-id system in place. Situated on a picturesque point next to Petersfield Park, the college buildings are screened from the highway by an abundance of flora. A stream that runs under several small bridges surrounds the CCGC. There is also a lovely 2.4 kilometre-walking trail.
Co-located at the CCGC are the Fisheries and Oceans Canada licensing office, Sydney Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre and the Coast Guard Boating Safety Accreditation office.
Fast Facts
- Indirect contribution to the local economy from residents at the CCGC (for training) amounts to 8 million dollars
- The CCGC employs approximately 150 people
- The CCGC staff are fully involved with and support local volunteer community groups
- The CCGC has hosted numerous International events including:
- Tall Ships
- Middle East Peace Talk conferences
- International Associations of Marine Aids and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
- NATO Search and Rescue Conferences
- The CCGC Staff provided Marine support during the filming of the Disney production: Squanto: Indian Warrior
- The CCGC Staff supported the Coast Guard's Response to the Swiss Air Crash in 1998
- The CCGC staff provide training and support on sites across Canada
- The CCGC is a satellite campus of the University College of Cape Breton
