The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program is holding search and rescue training for crews, between now and May 16, 2023 in Parry Sound, Ontario.
Training will be carried out during daytime and nighttime hours at the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Parry Sound and surrounding waters south to Midland, and north to Britt. The public can expect to see upwards of 10 CCG Zodiac Fast Rescue Craft, and helicopters throughout the area.
There is no real emergency or danger to the public.
This training certifies and prepares students to respond to marine emergencies during the summer months, such as, but not limited to, medical emergencies, missing persons/boaters, vessels aground, vessels taking on water, and disabled vessels.
Each summer, the Canadian Coast Guard hires post–secondary students and trains them as IRB crews at stations across Canada. These stations provide supplementary search and rescue services during the busy summer boating season. The IRB program provides employment experience and mentorship to post–secondary students.
On the Great Lakes, the Canadian Coast Guard operates six Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) stations. They are located at Britt, Brebeuf Island (Georgian Bay), Hill Island (St. Lawrence River), Port Lambton (St. Clair River), Thames River (Lake St. Clair) and Long Point (Lake Erie). IRB stations are open annually from May–October.
For more information on the IRB program, visit: https://www.ccg–gcc.gc.ca/search–rescue–recherche–
sauvetage/irb–esc/index–eng.html.
