Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield says taxpayers expect the coast guard to perform essential, life saving activities, not help boaters who have run out of fuel or have engine trouble.
Ashfield says the decision to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard base makes sense, since 72-percent of calls it receives are for those “non-distress” incidents.
“There are providers who can do that for the boating public…and what we’re saying is that coast guard is in the business of saving lives, and thats where our primary focus should be.”
Ashfield admits 36 calls handled by the Kits base last year were for distress, and that’s why the federal government has added a new in-shore rescue boat — and is increasing funding to the coastguard auxillary.
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