News Release - 10 June 2006

NR-C&A-06-06E

CANADIAN COAST GUARD CHRISTENS NEW SEARCH AND RESCUE VESSEL IN SARNIA, ONTARIO

SARNIA ON - The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, announced today the naming and dedication of the Canadian Coast Guard's newest search and rescue Cutter, CCGC Cape Discovery. The ceremony was held in Sarnia to acknowledge the presence of the Canadian Coast Guard's Central and Arctic Regional Headquarters as an integral part of the community. The 47-foot vessel will enter into search and rescue service immediately operating out of the Canadian Coast Guard Station in Goderich.

"Having this state-of-the-art vessel for our personnel provides them with greater safety, as they aid those in distress -- very often in conditions that put their own lives at risk." said Minister Hearn. "With the cutter Cape Discovery, we are well positioned to respond to emergency calls, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week."

Minister Hearn, and Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson represented the Government of Canada at the ceremony. Also attending were senior officials of the Canadian Coast Guard and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley. The vessel was christened by the Reverend Grace Coleman Anthony of Sarnia.

MP Pat Davidson commented that "every day, on ships, in offices, in workshops, at sites and centres every person connected to the Canadian Coast Guard contributes to the quality of life of Canadians. Their dedication is well reflected in the motto of the Coast Guard - Safety First, Service Always".

CCGC Cape Discovery is a 47-ft motor lifeboat, part of the newest class of search and rescue cutters put into service across Canada. This class of vessel is named after significant geographical features found in the region of deployment. In order to integrate the Arctic waters and Great Lakes components of the vast Central & Arctic Region, names were selected from both areas. The feature for which CCGS Cape Discovery is named is located at the north western tip of Ellesmere Island in Canada's High Arctic, and forms part of Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve. The Cape was named by Lt. Pelham Aldrich during the 1875 Nares Expedition onboard HMS Discovery and HMS Alert.

CCGC Cape Discovery is classed as a multi-task medium endurance lifeboat. This class of vessel has medium range with moderate to high speed,capable of operating in all weather conditions in semi-sheltered waters. The vessel can reach a speed of 25 knots for rapid deployment from home port to search and rescue incidents. The vessel maintains a full crew complement of four and will provide search and rescue coverage 24/7 during the operational season from April to December.

CCGC Cape Discovery will be assigned to duties at the Goderich Coast Guard station. CCGC Cape Discovery is capable of responding to search and rescue incidents throughout Lake Huron and the upper St. Clair River if required.

CCGC Cape Discovery joins Central and Arctic Region's fleet of nine other search and rescue cutters, strategically positioned around the Great Lakes.

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For more information:
Carol Bond
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
(519) 383-1804