Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada
Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Home > Search and Rescue > IRB Service

Institutional links

Inshore Rescue Boat Service - Background Information

Background Information
IRB Station Locations
Job Responsibilities and Duties
Job Requirements - what you need to apply
Conditions of Employment
How do I apply?
Regional IRB Operations

Background Information

The Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Service was initially established in the mid 70s as part of the Governments Career Oriented Summer Employment Program (COSEP) which became the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) initiative. The goal of this government sponsored program is to provide employment experience and mentorship to post secondary students. This initiative provides students with exposure to "real-life" experiences in various aspects of government operations while earning a wage to help pay for tuition.

Today, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) continues to hire and train candidates each summer, through the FSWEP program, to become members of an IRB crew. Selected candidates are trained in Search and Rescue operations by CCG regional staff and following successful completion of training, are assigned as crewmembers to IRB stations. Normally, each station is staffed with two teams of three persons, one Coxswain in charge and two crewmembers.

IRB Station Locations

The CCG operates 24 IRB stations in 5 regions in Canada.

  • Region 1 -  Newfoundland & Labrador (Notre Dame Bay, Conception Bay, Bonavista Bay)
  • Region 2 -  Maritimes (Shediac, Charlottetown, Pictou, Saint John, Mahone Bay, Halifax)
  • Region 3 -  Quebec (Valleyfield, Oka, Beaconsfield, Longueuil, Sorel, Trois-Rivieres)
  • Region 4 -  Central and Arctic (Britt on Gereaux Island, Midland, Port Lambton, Long Point, Hill Island, Thames River)
  • Region 5 -  Pacific (Nootka Island, Telegraph Cove, Cortes Island)

The IRB Service consists of twenty-four strategically placed stations across Canada. Each station is equipped with a six to eight metre Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) capable of operating at speeds in excess of twenty four knots.

    

      

Job Responsibilities and Duties

Working on the water during the summer as part of an IRB crew can be a very challenging but rewarding job. The job comes with serious responsibility: Search and Rescue (SAR) operations can occur at any time of the day or night, during all types of weather and sea conditions.

IRB crews are tasked to respond and provide assistance to mariners in distress or need of assistance by a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) or a Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC). Some of these types of incidents may include:

  • Vessel on fire;
  • Vessel aground;
  • Vessel disabled and broken down;
  • Vessel taking on water;
  • Vessel capsized;
  • Vessel lost in the fog;
  • Person overboard; and,
  • Medical emergencies.

In addition to responding to distress calls, IRB crews also provide public education on boating safety. Topics can include :

  • Personal Floatation Devices;
  • Hypothermia;
  • Equipment that every boat needs;
  • Proposed changes to the required equipment;
  • Personal Watercraft use;
  • Rules of Navigation;
  • Boating restrictions and regulations; and,
  • Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCCs)

The CCG offers PCCCs as a service to the public. These no cost examinations are beneficial because they educate boaters regarding the safety equipment that is required to be on board their vessel, as well as keep them abreast of any changes to the regulations.

Job Requirements - what you need to apply

To apply to the CCG’s IRB Service, you must be a full-time post secondary student in an accredited institution and be returning to full-time studies in your next academic term.  These are the eligibility criteria set out by the FSWEP.

Students who wish to apply as “crew” for the IRB Service MUST meet the following criteria :

  1. Hold a valid Driver's License (automobile) (no legal restriction on the use or operation of a motor vehicle)
  2. Hold a valid CPR LEVEL C
  3. Hold a standard First-Aid Certificate
  4. Hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Note: Candidates must be fluent in French to work in the Quebec region and fluent in English to work in all other regions.

Pre-season Requirements

1. In all regions candidates must hold a VHF Digital Selective Call (DSC) Restricted Maritime Radio Operator's Certificate at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the IRB training. (Please refer to the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons for more information).

2. In the Quebec region candidates must hold a boating course certification, from a certified school, covering such subjects as chart work, coastal navigation, basic seamanship, etc.

Note: Candidates must be able to provide their certificate from a boating course no later than the commencement of IRB training (required for the Quebec Region only).

As a condition of employment candidates must successfully pass a Health Canada physical exam, a hearing exam and meet the necessary security standard (National Security Investigation).

Conditions of Employment

Training

In general, student IRB training begins shortly after the end of the school year. Training requirements are standard between regions and are generally provided by regional CCG staff over a one to two week period. Topics such as boat handling and seamanship, local coastal navigation, search and rescue operations (search techniques, communications, etc.) and more are covered.

Pay during training

Information regarding pay and the provision of accommodations during training will be provided by regional CCG staff during the interview process.

In 2009, students were paid with the following rates in accordance with Treasury Board Guidelines.

Student rates of pay

  • Crewmember: $13.57/hour
  • Boat Coxswain: $17.77/hour

Hours of Work

Hours of work vary according to region, but generally consist of seven to twelve hour days, on a seven or fourteen day schedule. As previously mentioned, each station is normally staffed with two IRB crews. While one crew is working, the other crew is on days of rest.

Note: Information regarding hours of work, pay, training and accommodations, will be provided by regional CCG staff during the interview process.

How do I apply?

Apply on line at: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm

The deadline to apply for a position with the CCG's IRB can vary depending on the region. For further information please review the regions' application deadlines below.

Regional IRB Operations

In general, IRB crews and stations operate in a similar way across the country however, regional operational variances do exist. Factors such as the type and volume of boating activity, geography and environmental conditions, as well as the availability of CCG Fleet personnel, have an impact on IRB resources and operational requirements.

Further information on region-specific IRB operations can be found below:

Since employment opportunities for the IRB Service are in the regions, sometimes in remote locations, it is necessary to identify your choice(s) of region(s) / work location(s) or IRB station(s).  Your selections must be in accordance with the list of locations provided by the FSWEP system.  This will ensure that your application will be properly considered. This list is found under the WORK LOCATIONS section of the FSWEP system. For ease of reference, the location choices listed in the FSWEP system is identified for each region. Please note that some locations in the system list do not match with the exact locations of all IRB station locations.

Date Modified: 2010-02-09

Top of page
Important Notices