Zodiac to replace Kits Coast Guard operations
Posted January 9, 2013 1:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The federal government has unveiled a zodiac-type boat to be stationed in Coal Harbour that they say will adequately replace operations at the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, but critics are not impressed.
Vancouver City Councillor Kerry Jang is very worried about emergency response times and says once again, there’s been no consulation.
“I found out late last night,” he says. “I kind of snuck in with Chinese media to be here [at the news conference] today.” The news conference was held on Department of National Defence land and was heavily guarded. “And again, no matter what they do; the matter of response times has not been addressed,” adds Jang.
Vancouver-area harbours and waterways will now be served by the zodiac crew, and another Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel will be moved into Burrard Inlet from Indian Arm. The zodiac will be moored at the Royal Canadian Navy facility HMCS Discovery.
Deputy Commissioner Jody Thomas with the Coast Guard admits response times will not be the same once the Kits base is closed.
“The response time is dependent on a number of things; location and the weather. I can guarantee you that the reaction time will be within international standards,” she adds.
“There will be a change in service but it won’t be an unreasonable change in service,” says Thomas. “Vancouver will still have more assets than any other major port in Canada and the response and reaction times will be within standards and mariners will be safe.”
That being said, the zodiac will only be around in the busy spring and summer boating season. In fall and winter, a rescue could take up to half an hour with help coming from the next closest base at Richmond’s Sea Island.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says he’s not satisfied. “A harbour as busy as we are, with life safety challenges. The real problem is in the fall and winter when the weather is terrible and that’s not addressed by these solutions.” Robertson hopes continuing public and political pressure will build over the decision to close the Kitsilano base.
There’s still no firm date for its closure, a move expected to save the federal government less than $1 million a year.
Dave Clark of the union representing Kits Coast Guard employees dismisses arguments that response times will remain within international standards.
“The international standard is 30 minutes. As we’ve stated before, 30 minutes is unacceptable when we have savings going on at five minutes.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson also remains unimpressed.
“In a harbour as busy as we are, with life safety challenges, with real problems in the winter when the weather is terrible, that’s not addressde by these solutions.”
Robertson is hoping public pressure continues to mount on Ottawa to put a halt to the closure.
