Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - The Canadian Coast Guard plays an essential role in ensuring the safety of mariners and protection of Canada's marine environment. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada has made it a priority to ensure Canada has the vessels we need to continue to deliver these critical services to Canadians.
Today, the Canadian Coast Guard officially welcomed CCGS Baie des Chaleurs to its fleet at the Lifeboat Station in Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Jessica Fancy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margarets, alongside vessel sponsor Rosemarie Patricia LeBlanc, the crew and community members, participated in the traditional breaking of a ceremonial bottle upon the ship's bow.
The CCGS Baie des Chaleurs is one of 20 new search and rescue lifeboats that will be dedicated into service by the Canadian Coast Guard across the country.
The lifeboats are specifically designed, equipped, and crewed to respond to search and rescue incidents at sea. They can operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore, maintain a maximum 30 minute state-of-readiness, and are typically ready to respond the moment an alert is received.
The new search and rescue vessels are being stationed across Canada to provide key search and rescue services including searches on the water, response to marine distress calls, as well as assistance to disabled vessels. So far, 13 of the lifeboats have been delivered to Coast Guard stations on the Atlantic coast.
