The reality is that we need dedicated services in Labrador, St. John's, and Gander. The reality is that our coastal and northern geography is challenging and massive.
Will is cost more money? Yes! Is it essential? Yes!
The continued downsizing of our search and rescue presence has been going on for decades. Bit by bit by bit.
The reality is that with the relatively new industry of offshore oil and gas development, continued fishery, and increased travel in northern climes has made it necessary to increase not decrease search and rescue assets.
Please read the information below. I will do this study in three or four parts.
The truth is Search and Rescue is as important as any other service and therefore - more not less - must be spent on this essential. It is NOT acceptable to nickel and dime Newfoundland and Labrador again.
There are 3 Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) in Canada.
One is in British Columbia
One is in Ontario
One is in Nova Scotia
This was fine pre-confederation - but now? No! This is obviously flawed. The East Coast is Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2005, JRCC Victoria responded to over 2,900 SAR cases, with a greater number of Category 1 and 2 cases1 than the other two JRCCs. This disproportionate level of serious SAR activity can be attributed to the higher amount of recreational activity, changeable weather and challenging topography on the west coast. While the other two regions have Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres in Quebec and St. John's, JRCC Victoria has sole responsibility for its region. This centralized function is best for the Victoria SRR as the ocean area is smaller and marine traffic patterns are different from those on the east coast.
The Halifax SRR is geographically the second largest of the three regions but prosecutes the fewest number of incidents.
In 2005, JRCC Halifax responded to 1,962 SAR cases. Fishing activity continued to provide the majority of cases in the Halifax SRR as the fishing industry forms a large part of the economy. Most marine SAR activity is concentrated in the Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island region of the SRR. Quebec had the majority of air incidents while Newfoundland and Labrador was high in humanitarian incidents, many of which were medical evacuations and assisting the RCMP with lost hunters.
2005 was a much busier year than normal for JRCC Trenton. A total of 3,070 incidents were handled — 2,286 maritime, 400 aeronautical, 205 humanitarian and 179 unknown. Compared to 2004, the marine incidents were higher and the air incidents were also slightly higher.
In 2005, the causes of marine incidents were:
- 50% human error;
- 35% mechanical;
- 11% unknown; and
- 4 % weather.
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| Look at the Coastline and Landmass of NL and ask yourself why the Centre is in Halifax? |
In 2005 SAR reported what are known as Significant Incidents.
3 were noted in BC Region 2 air related incidents and 1 Ferry
1 was noted in the Atlantic Region - Newfoundland and Labrador the capsizing of the Melina and Keith II.
The other two notes are found below. Read them CAREFULLY. Can you see the hypocrisy?
The Canadian Coast Guard was pleased to offer a helping hand to the United States of America Coast Guard during the relief effort. In September 2005, Canadian Coast Guard vessel, CCGS Sir William Alexander, was dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico, accompanying Canadian Navy vessels, as well as fast response craft and a helicopter. The CCGS Sir William Alexander, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, assisted with heavy lift operations during the weeks following the destructive hurricane.
On September 4, as part of Operation UNISON 2005, the Canadian Forces' contribution to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, two CH-146 Griffon helicopters also deployed to the United States of America Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts to help cover the Boston SAR area of responsibility over the Labour Day weekend, returning to their squadrons on September 12. The six H60 Jayhawk helicopters, normally on stand-by for SAR duty in this region, were involved in the Coast Guard flood relief operation on the Gulf coast.
1 comment:
Sue said "Look at the Coastline and Landmass of NL and ask yourself why the Centre is in Halifax"?
I will ask the question why aren't our MPs in Ottawa asking the same question in the House of Parliament?
It is reason enough why the Search and Rescue Center should be placed in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is quite apparent that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is being shafted right, left and center by the Ottawa Government.
The Ottawa Government knows where we are when it needs another natural resource to be developed to keep the economies of Mainland Canada percolating.
And when we look at that Map you have included Sue it is quite plain to see why Ottawa was dreaming about the territory of Newfoundland and Labrador for 80 years before it got it into the dysfunctional fold of the Canadian Federation.
Newfoundland and Labrador gave Canada the Eastern landmass of North America, all of the Atlantic Ocean under its jurisdiction and completed Canada from Sea to shining Sea.
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