Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat Crews Wrapping up 2021 Operations

September 7, 2021

Sarnia, Ontario - The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) stations in Ontario are wrapping up their seasonal maritime search and rescue service.

IRB stations at Britt, Hill Island, Port Lambton, and Long Point will be operational until Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Due to increased water traffic, Brebeuf Island and Thames River stations will remain open on weekends (Friday to Sunday) until Monday, October 11, 2021.

The Inshore Rescue Boat program employs post-secondary students to provide additional maritime search and rescue service during the busy summer season. The Coast Guard's Search and Rescue lifeboat stations across the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay are staffed by Coast Guard personnel and will remain in service until November/December, and re-open in the spring.

Marine emergencies can be called into the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-267-7270; to a Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre by VHF radio (channel 16); or, by dialing *16 on a cell phone. For additional information on the Canadian Coast Guard's Search and Rescue services, please visit: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/index-eng.html.

For more information on the Inshore Rescue Boat program, please visit: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/irb-esc/index-eng.html.