Canadian Coast Guard Reopening Seasonal S&R Bases
The agency will reopen six of them on or around April 1.
The Canadian Coast Guard announced that six of its seasonal search and rescue bases in Québec City, Tadoussac, Kegaska, Rivière-au-Renard, Havre-Saint-Pierre, and Cap-aux-Meules will open on or around April 1.
Open from April to November, these bases are strategically located to provide assistance as quickly as possible during emergencies that threaten lives and the environment.
"Although air temperature is milder, water temperature remains low and risk of hypothermia due to cold water immersion is real. Waters are still very cold at this time of the year and do not warm up as quickly as the air. For more information on cold water immersion," the announcement stated.
Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue coordination services are available 24/7 and can be reached toll free at 1-800-463-4393 or 418-648-3599, *16 with a mobile, as well as by VHF radio on channel 16 (156.8 Mhz), by Digital Selective Calling (DSC/VHF) on channel 70 and by radio frequency MF 2182 Khz.
The agency operates the federal government's civilian fleet and is a Special Operating Agency of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.