Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard join forces in training exercise at Trial Islands

The Canadian Coast Guard is taking to the waters off Trial Islands today in a joint exercise with its American counterpart and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Twelve Sea Cadets will get to participate in the event, acting as passengers aboard a vessel in distress.

They’ll be evacuated by rescue teams from a small tour vessel and transported to Ogden Point.

The Americans will deploy one of their own active-duty vessels, named “Blue Shark,” to join the exercise.

“We work regularly with the US Coast Guard during incidents in the Strait of Juan de Fuca,” Kiri Westnedge, a communications advisor for the Canadian Coast Guard said in an email. “Their participation in the exercise brings an extra element of realism to the scenario.”

She says the training from this exercise will improve interoperability between the organizations, emergency communications, search and rescue techniques, risk assessment and help improve Canada’s search and rescue system.

“This training exercise is an excellent opportunity for Victoria’s response organizations to practice working together so that in the event of a real maritime emergency, we have an integrated and efficient response effort,” she added.

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