OPENING OF CANADIAN COAST GUARD STATION SANDSPIT AND THE NAMING AND DEDICATION OF CCGC CAPE MUDGE

Sandspit, B.C. - The Honourable David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Victoria, officially opened the new Canadian Coast Guard Station Sandspit on behalf of Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today. The new 47 ft Multi-Task High Endurance Lifeboat CCGC Cape Mudge which is the vessel currently assigned to the station, was also named and dedicated at the ceremony.

“The establishment of the station and the assignment of CCGC Cape Mudge to the Sandspit area represents the Canadian Coast Guard’s commitment to search and rescue services in British Columbia,” said Mr. Anderson. “The opening of this important rescue service is good news for the safety of mariners in the North Coast of BC."

The location of the station was determined in a rigorous seven-step site selection process that involved, among other things, a study of current search and rescue coverage and marine activity in the area. In 2001, the Government of Canada announced that CCG would establish a new Coast Guard Station to provide Search and Rescue (SAR) and other Coast Guard services in the communities of Sandspit and Bella Bella on the north and central coast of British Columbia, as part of the SAR Integrity Program. Canadian Coast Guard Station Bella Bella was officially opened earlier this week along with the naming and dedication of CCGC Cape Farewell.

Search and Rescue coverage in the area had traditionally been provided by a large vessel, supported by a cutter from Prince Rupert. The placement of a 47 ft Multi-Task High Endurance Lifeboat at Sandspit will increase the capacity for search and rescue capability in BC’s North Coast area. CCGC Cape Mudge, the vessel currently assigned to the station, became operational in June. To date, it has responded to 32 search and rescue incidents.

In addition to providing Search and Rescue operations, CCGC Cape Mudge will support other departmental and Government of Canada programs including environmental emergency response, fisheries management, and support to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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See photos from the event
 

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