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" … [Read more...]
The Fisheries Minister stays the course on closing Kits base
June 26, 2012 by
After meeting with stakeholders who believe the decision will compromise safety, the federal fisheries minister says the Kitsilano Coast Guard station will still be closed at the end of this boating season. Keith Ashfield insists safety will not be compromised because services lost at Kits point will be picked up the volunteer Royal … [Read more...]
The fight to save Kits Coast Guard base is getting attention on the East coast
June 14, 2012 by
The Fight to save the Kitsilano Coast Guard base is attracting attention from Canada’s East coast. 35 year retired veteran with the recently shuttered St Johns rescue sub-centre in the Maritimes Merv Wiseman says it is an all too familiar scene playing out in Vancouver. "The common thread is that the government has gone about this business in … [Read more...]
Clark says talks continue with Ottawa over Kits Coast Guard base
June 3, 2012 by
Premier Christy Clark says talks continue with the federal government over saving the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. On Saturday, BC Conservative leader John Cummins said he's confident public outcry will persuade Ottawa to reverse its decision. Clark says she shares that hope. "We are working really hard on it. I personally am working hard on … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coast Guard gets new name, new base, new boat
May 26, 2012 by
The volunteer Coast Guard auxiliary has a new name: The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue. They've also got a new base, at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, and a new boat. President Randy Strandt says the name reflects the organization's separate identity from the Coast Guard. He's also paying homage to those who will lose their jobs at the … [Read more...]
An Order of BC recipient backs the Kitsilano Coast Guard base remaining open
May 25, 2012 by
A very respected member of the Search and Rescue community is throwing his support behind keeping the Kitsilano Coast Guard base open. Tim Jones with North Shore Search and Rescue, and an Order of BC recipient, says he doesn't want to wade into the politics between paid coast guard and volunteer auxillary. Jones says instead he has a simple message … [Read more...]
The Jericho Sailing Centre slams the closing of Kits Coast Guard base with no consultation by Ottawa
May 21, 2012 by
The General Manager of the Jericho Sailing Centre says closing the Kits Point Coast Guard station impacts the safety of all marine recreational users. Mike Cotter says with 250,000 boat launches a year they have their own volunteer rescue team who could now see their number of emergency call outs double. Cotter says there was certainly … [Read more...]
