Many hands on Deck and ashore for weekend Exercise in Prince Rupert Harbour

A view from Rushbrook Floats of the Canadian Coast Guard Veseel
Atlantic Eagle near Tuck Inlet,  the ship was one of a number of 
assets involved in a weekend SAR exercise

For those that may have been in the Rushbrook Floats or Seal Cove areas of the city over the weekend, some activity on the water just off shore may have caught some attention. 

That as a Search and Rescue Exercise took place in the harbour area.

The two day opportunity brought a number of partners together to work on their skills and exchange ideas on themes of marine safety in local waters.

Michelle Imbeau, the Communication advisor for the Canadian Coast Guard outlined a few notes for the North Coast Review on the work of the two days on the waters of Prince Rupert Harbour from March 12 and 13.

The purpose of the exercise was to train together to ensure all partners know and understand how to work with each other and communicate with each other during a SAR. 

It is also an opportunity to develop relationships with the maritime search and rescue community which contributes to the efficient and effective resolution of maritime emergencies. 

We regularly practice with marine first responders and coastal communities so that if a real incident does occur, we all work together in a more coordinated, effective response. 

The  weekend exercise was led by a number of vessels and crew members from the Canadian Coast Guard. 

It also featured a wide range of participants through the two days.

Among those on the list:

Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary (Gitxaala First Nation) 

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR Station 64) 

Prince Rupert Port Authority 

RCMP West Coast Marine, 

Coastal RCMP Emergency Health Services (EHS) 

Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Dept

The training over the weekend included both that on the water and with shoreside training activities.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority has provided for a pictorial of some of the work that took place as part of the training exercise which you can review here.

Also sharing some snapshots of their participation in the exercise was the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue service with a collection of photos available through their Facebook feed.

For more notes related to the work of Emergency Responders across the Northwest see our archive page here.