St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador - Canada and the United States have a long history of working together to help mariners in need and manage the coastlines and shared waterways that run along the borders between the two countries.
This week, the Canadian Coast Guard hosted the 2022 Canada-United States Coast Guard Summit in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. This year's Summit was the first to take place in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional presenters joining the Summit virtually.
In-person participation enabled members of both Coast Guards to experience hands-on key services at the heart of both organizations. This included participating in an exercise with a recently built Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue vessel and a Fast Rescue Craft, as well as touring an icebreaker. This hands-on experience provided an opportunity for senior officials and personnel from both Coast Guards to exchange operational knowledge and experience.
During the Summit, senior officials from the Canadian and United States Coast Guards addressed priorities for both countries, such as increased collaboration to address emerging challenges, including climate change resiliency and cyber security. Delegates also discussed icebreaking on the Great Lakes, which is a shared responsibility between the two Coast Guards, who work hand-in-hand to serve all Great Lakes winter marine traffic. Known as the "One Fleet" approach, the Great Lakes Icebreaking Agreement is an example of the collaboration between the two Coast Guards working together to provide services on both sides of the border and on shared waterways.
This year's Summit also provided an opportunity to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard, and bid farewell to Admiral Karl L. Schultz during his last international engagement as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard before his retirement.
