Canadian, U.S. coast guards train for tour vessel disaster off Victoria
A large-scale Canadian Coast Guard exercise was held near the Trial Islands off Victoria on Thursday, with members of the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders.
The scenario was a whale-watching vessel catching fire, with multiple injured people in the water and on the shore.
A large-scale Canadian Coast Guard exercise was held near the Trial Islands off Victoria on Thursday, with members of the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders. (CTV News)
Several coast guard cadets played the injured victims onboard the burning boat, along with life-sized dummies floating in the water.
Rescue boats transported the injured passengers to Ogden Point where paramedics and firefighters s were waiting to asses and treat the victims.
The coast guard says the purpose of the on-water training is to practise search and rescue techniques, risk assessment and other related skills in case of a real disaster.
“It’s a constant risk we have here on the coast and we need to be ready to respond and these types of exercises are the best way to increase that level of preparedness,” says Mariah McCooey, the western region superintendent of maritime search and rescue for the Canadian Coast Guard.
“Getting out there on the water and testing out our interoperability, communication and then that key infrastructure with the shore side and the handoff of patients.”
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Blue Shark participated in the exercise, bringing an extra element of realism to the scenario.
McCooey says the Canadian and US coast guards work regularly with each other during incidents in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
“It really did put everyone through the test,” says McCooey. “That’s really important for figuring out where we have areas to improve and also the things we were doing really well.”
Although the full analysis of the mock disaster is not yet complete, the rescue exercise was considered a success Thursday.
The Canadian Coast Guard is planning similar training events in the region next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.