Two new search and rescue lifeboats have arrived to join the Canadian Coast Guard fleet on the West Coast, enhancing the critical marine search and rescue services provided by the Coast Guard in the region.
The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Jonathan Wilkinson, was in Sidney, Friday to announce the arrival of the new High Endurance Self-Righting Search and Rescue Lifeboats.
The boats are 19-metres long, have a top speed of 25 knots in calm conditions, and can operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore. They are considered all-weather vessels, with the ability to operate in hurricane force conditions, and will right themselves should they capsize.
One rescue boat will be deployed to Prince Rupert, and the other will be deployed to Port Hardy.