Annual Closing of Seasonal Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Bases

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 1, 2011) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release

The Canadian Coast Guard will be closing its seasonal search and rescue (SAR) bases in the Quebec City, Tadoussac, Kegaska, Rivière-au-Renard and Havre St-Pierre areas on or about November 30, 2011. The Cap-aux-Meules base will close on December 31.

The Canadian Coast Guard's seasonal bases are strategically located so as to provide assistance as quickly as possible in order to minimize loss of life, injury and property damage in the maritime environment, and to reduce the number and severity of maritime incidents, and the risk to the environment.

The seasonal bases start up operations in April, before the boating season gets under way, and they remain open after the boating season winds down, closing in November. In winter, rescue boats cannot be operated on the ice-covered waters of the Gulf or the St. Lawrence River, nor is navigation possible under the prevailing conditions, which may include freezing spray. For its winter operations, the Canadian Coast Guard uses icebreakers and calls on vessels of opportunity, when necessary, as well as on Department of National Defence aircraft.

For more information on the Canadian Coast Guard's search and rescue services, visit the following site: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/Search_Rescue.

Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/DFO_CCG_Quebec.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20111101-SAR_Qc_800.jpg