Canadian Coast Guard announces extension of leases for emergency towing vessels in BC waters

The Atlantic Eagle at dock at the Seal Cove Canadian Coast Guard base
earlier this month

Maritime Protection measures by the Canadian Coast Guard will include the use of two leased vessels for marine towing, with the Coast Guard announcing today the one year extension of their leases for the vessels currently in service.

Vessels such as the Atlantic Eagle, which was in the Prince Rupert area earlier this month for an exercise in local waters have responded over 39 times since going into service in 2018, providing tow services for vessels in distress.

To this point, No details related to the leasing terms were released from today's update.

The two vessels Atlantic Eagle and Atlantic Raven are part of the Federal Government's Oceans Protection Plan.

The Federal plan was introduced  in the fall of 2016.

The awarding of the contract to Atlantic Towing, part of the JD Irving Marine Group in 2018 was received with some disappointment by the Heiltsuk Nation, which had been working on its own plans towards providing for such heavy towing capabilities.

At the time the Heiltsuk Nation had partnered with Horizon Maritime Services towards their plans, the awarding of the contract in 2018 was noted by then Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen as a missed opportunity on reconciliation.

More notes on the work of Emergency Responders in the Northwest and on the North Coast can be reviewed from our archive page.