Canadian Coast Guard's Seasonal Search and Rescue Stations Close for the Winter

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 10, 2014) - The Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region has closed its seasonal search and rescue stations in Souris and Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and Shippagan, New Brunswick.

Vessels from the seasonal bases cannot operate in the ice-covered waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait. The seasonal stations will resume operations in April.

The search and rescue stations in Nova Scotia at Bickerton, Clark's Harbour, Louisburg, Sambro and Westport as well as the station in Saint John, New Brunswick remain operational year round.

The Canadian Coast Guard's stations are strategically located to provide assistance as quickly as possible in order to minimize loss of life, injury and property damage in the maritime environment at peak times during the year.

For its winter search and rescue operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait, the Canadian Coast Guard uses icebreakers and calls on vessels of opportunity as well as on Department of National Defence aircraft, when necessary.

For broadcast: The Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region closed its seasonal search and rescue (SAR) stations in Souris and Summerside, Prince Edward Island and in Shippagan, New Brunswick. The stations will reopen in April.

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

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