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OTTAWA – During his visit to the Town of Meaford last Friday, Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced the transfer of the CCGC WESTFORT to the municipality. The vessel, no longer operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, will be used as a display at the Meaford Harbour and will replace the existing wooden vessel, the former CCGC SPUME, which is deterioriating.
"I am very pleased as Minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard to make this transfer to the Town of Meaford. It is a fitting last mission for this vessel that has already served Canadians so well as a search and rescue vessel and will now serve as a display at the beautiful Meaford harbour," said Minister Regan.
Minister Regan made the announcement during his visit to the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station in Meaford while on a 2-day visit to the area.
The CCGC WESTFORT, built in 1973, is a 44’ multi-task lifeboat that was involved primarily in search and rescue missions along the Great Lakes. Before the transfer to Meaford takes place, expected later this year, the vessel will undergo a scan to ensure that it is safe and free of any environmental hazards.
More information on the Canadian Coast Guard can be found at
www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.
(Click on the
images to enlarge.)
His Worship, Mayor Wally Reif, (left) presents a plaque commemorating the
christening of the CCG Cutter “Cape Providence” to Geoff Regan, Minister of
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on behalf of the Meaford District Chamber of
Commerce and the Municipality of Meaford. |
The CCGC WESTFORT is a Class 300 search and rescue vessel. It was
based at the port of Thunder Bay and operated on Lake Superior. Like its
sister ship, the CCGC Tobermory, the Westfort is self-righting. It
was built by Georgetown Shipyard, Georgetown PEI and was originally launched
in 1973. |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537
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Sujata Raisinghani
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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NR-HQ-05-77E |
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