Media Advisory - Major Maritime Disaster Training Exercise

SALT SPRING ISLAND, BC, Oct. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Armed Forces, BC Ferries, Emergency Management BC, BC Emergency Health Services, and Public Safety Canada are leading a large scale, multi-agency, on-water emergency preparedness exercise in the Gulf Islands area. "Exercise Salish Sea 2017" is an opportunity for various organizations to work together in maritime emergency scenario and practice a coordinated response.

The scenario for the exercise is that a fire has occurred on BC Ferries' M/V Coastal Renaissance, and passengers and crew must evacuate. On October 25, M/V Coastal Renaissance will be taken out of regular service, and will be the platform used for the evacuation of 100 volunteers for the Search and Rescue portion of the exercise. This will also include a hand-over of command from the Canadian Armed Forces to the Canadian Coast Guard.

On October 26, CCGS Bartlett will be simulating the ferry near Salt Spring Island for the marine Environmental Response portion of the exercise. An Incident Command Post, to oversee the coordination of the simulated clean-up efforts, will be organized by Coast Guard at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney for that day.

A media availability will be held with key spokespersons from the Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Armed Forces and Province of BC on the first day of the exercise.

When: October 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. PDT
Where: Fernwood Dock on Salt Spring Island

NOTE: Helicopters and drones are not permitted above the training exercise location.

Participating partners in the two day exercise include:

Canadian Coast Guard Canadian Armed Forces – Joint Task Force Pacific BC Ferries BC Ministry of Environment Emergency Management BC	BC Emergency Health Services Public Safety Canada Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue And many others

Twitter hashtag during exercise: #BCEX17

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region

Michelle Imbeau, Communications Advisor, Canadian Coast Guard, Office: 604-666-2872, Cell: 604-219-5730, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca