Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Celebrates 25 Years of Service to Canadian Mariners

8/8/2003

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OTTAWA – The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today congratulated the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. He paid tribute to the invaluable service the Auxiliary members provide daily to Canadians at sea.

"Over the last 25 years, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has supported the Canadian Coast Guard during search and rescue missions and through boating safety education," said Minister Thibault. "Auxiliary volunteers are often the first to arrive at the scene of a distress call and have assisted in the rescue of thousands of mariners. I pay tribute today to their dedication and on behalf of all Canadians, I thank them for their service."

The Auxiliary, established by the Canadian Coast Guard in 1978, today has close to 5,000 volunteers and 1,600 vessels. It responds annually to over 1,700 search and rescue incidents, conducts over 3,000 courtesy checks of pleasure craft, spreads the safe boating message at over 250 boats shows and exhibitions, and saves approximately 200 lives.

Its members are primarily pleasure craft operators and commercial fishers who use their own vessels for Auxiliary activities and response. They provide invaluable time, expertise and local knowledge to assist the Coast Guard in preventing the loss of life at sea.

"The Auxiliary is our special partner in maritime search and rescue and boating safety," said John Adams, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. "The Canadian maritime search and rescue system is as effective as it is due in large part to the contribution of the Coast Guard Auxiliary."

Coast Guard officials and other dignitaries have joined Auxiliary members in Kingston, Ontario this weekend to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the organization. Activities will include a search and rescue competition, a salute to the Auxiliary at Old Fort Henry and a reception and awards ceremony at the Royal Military College.

The 25th anniversary celebration coincides with this week’s announcement that Harry Strong, the Chief Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, will receive the Order of Canada for his selfless dedication to saving lives. The recipients for the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement were announced on August 5th by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada.

More information on the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at http://www.ccga-gcac.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Steve Outhouse
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537

Caroline Quinn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada<