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

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 13, 2013) - The Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region will be closing its seasonal search and rescue stations in Souris and Summerside, Prince Edward Island and Shippagan, New Brunswick during the week of December 16-20, weather permitting.

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; to reduce the number and severity of maritime incidents and the risk to the environment.

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.

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.

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.

For broadcast : DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA - The Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic region will be closing its seasonal search and rescue (SAR) stations in Souris and Summerside, Prince Edward Island and in Shippagan, New Brunswick on December 16-20, weather permitting. The stations will reopen in April.

Twitter Post: The Canadian Coast Guard will close its seasonal SAR stations in Souris and Summerside, PEI and in Shippagan, NB during week of December 16-20.

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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

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