Canadian Coast Guard Information Kit

Maritimes Region

Coverage

Maritimes Region covers approximately 11,400 km of coastline and encompasses three provinces, which are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, as well as adjacent waters, extending to the 200-mile economic zone, including the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The region has a fleet of six helicopters and 25 vessels including one heavy icebreaker, five ice-strengthened vessels, three science vessels, nine lifeboats and six inshore patrol vessels.

Approximately 940 employees work in the region. Headquarters is located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS)

Maritimes Region has three MCTS centres, located in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, and at Saint John, New Brunswick. A full range of MCTS services are provided at these centres.

Aids to Navigation

There are over 6,000 fixed and floating aids to navigation in the region. Of the 830 fixed aids, there are approximately 50 major and 150 minor lightstations. All lightstations, except the one located on Machias Seal Island, are automated.

Waterways Management Services

In 2007/08, Waterways Management Services conducted 13 priority surveys in areas where either local knowledge, charting or bottom conditions are not accurately known, and 16 other main channel surveys.

Canso Canal

From April 14 to December 23 each year on a 24-hour basis, Maritimes Region operates the Canso Canal, which links Chédabucto Bay to Northumberland Strait. In 2007, there were 3,025 vessel transits through the Canal.

Environmental Response Services (ER)

Within the region, four Emergency Response depots respond to an average of 200 oil pollution incidents per year. Saint John, New Brunswick, including the lower Bay of Fundy, is considered one of the areas at highest risk for oil spills in the country.

Icebreaking Services

Most of the commercial shipping coming into Canada steams through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with the highest density of foreign tankers transiting the Bay of Fundy and the Cabot Strait. In Maritimes Region, five helicopter-capable vessels are responsible for icebreaking and ice escort. During the winter, the icebreakers and shipboard helicopters operate as a team to facilitate the movement of ships through ice infested waters.

Search and Rescue (SAR)

The Maritimes Region Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) coordinates all search and rescue operations associated with aircraft and marine emergencies in eastern Canada.

The Regional Operations Centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, initiates and coordinates responses to non-SAR related marine and fisheries incidents and alerts response agencies of all maritime incidents occurring in the region and associated waters.

In an average year, the JRCC in Halifax, Nova Scotia, responds to 1,400 maritime SAR cases. Of these, 11% are classified as distress or potential distress incidents in which, on average, 410 lives are saved. Also contributing to overall safety of mariners is the Coast Guard Auxiliary, with approximately 759 volunteers and 434 vessels.

Maritime Security

Maritimes Region participates in the coastal Marine Security Operations Centre led by the Department of National Defence. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this centre is one of three in Canada established to help detect, assess and support the response to any threat to marine security that could affect the safety, security, environment or economy of Canada.

Sable Island

Located approximately 300 km east of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sable Island is approximately 45 km long, one km wide, and is composed entirely of sand. Pursuant to the Sable Island Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, Maritimes Region is responsible for controlling access to Sable Island and ensuring protection of the famed horses that reside there.