SEA-NL says Coast Guard 'rolling the dice' with offshore search and rescue coverage

SEA-NL says that there is only one primary offshore search and rescue vessel dedicated to covering the province’s entire offshore area.

Merv Wiseman, a member of SEA-NL’s executive, says, “In a maritime environment where every minute could be the difference between life and death in SAR incidents, there is no room for any compromise in response capabilities.”

SEA-NL says a Canadian Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed Friday that one offshore vessel, the CCG Ann Harvey, is on primary SAR standby south of Fogo Island.

The spokesperson noted there are SAR lifeboat stations positioned through the province capable of operating up to 100 nautical miles offshore “within certain weather conditions.”