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Inshore Rescue Boat Service - Background Information

IRB Student In-Water Rescue Techniques (24023)

Background Information

The Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Service was initially established in the mid 1970's as part of the Government's 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. Each year, more than 130 candidates are hired as members of an IRB crew through the FSWEP program.

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 (Bainsville (Ontario), Oka, Beaconsfield, Longueuil, Sorel, Trois-Rivieres)
  • Region 4 -  Central and Arctic (Britt on Gereaux Island, Brebeuf Island, 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.

IRB Map - Newfoundland and Labrador IRB Map - MaritimesIRB Map - Quebec
IRB Map - Central and Arctic (27089) IRB Map Pacific

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;
  • Required safety equipment aboard a vessel;
  • Proposed changes to the required equipment;
  • Personal Watercraft use;
  • Rules of Navigation;
  • Boating restrictions and regulations; and,
  • Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCCs)

The IRB Service offers Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks (PCCCs) in partnership with Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety Program. If requested by the owner, an IRB crew member may review the safety and distress equipment aboard a pleasure craft. These no cost examinations are helpful in assisting boaters to become familiar with the regulation safety and distress equipment that must be carried aboard pleasure craft. PCCCs are voluntary and are for educational purposes only. 

Every year, more than 1400 PCCCs are conducted by the IRB Service nationally and about 50,000 people are informed about boating safety practices and boating regulations by IRB crew members. PCCC days are set up at local marinas or are available upon request.

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 VHF Digital Selective Call (DSC) Restricted Maritime Radio Operator's Certificate
  • 2. Hold a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (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 also pass the following mandatory requirements:

  • successfully pass a Health Canada physical exam and a hearing exam (information); 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 the provision of accommodations during training will be provided by regional CCG staff during the interview process.

In 2012, students will be paid the following rates in accordance with Treasury Board Guidelines. Rates of Pay.

Student rates of pay

  • Crewmember: $14.19/hour
  • Boat Coxswain: $18.58/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.

Statement of Merit Criteria

Position available: 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Canadian Coast Guard
Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Service
All five regions
IRB Crew Member and Coxswain

Reference number:

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidate must be a full-time post secondary student in an accredited post secondary institution and be returning to full-time studies next academic term.

Certificates

Hold a valid CPR Level C
Hold a standard First-Aid Certificate
Hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Card
Hold a VHF DSC Radio Operator’s Certificate

Quebec region: Candidates must hold a basic navigation course certification covering the interpretation of charts, drift calculation, basic seamanship, etc.

Knowledge

Crew & Coxswain

General knowledge of the work performed by the IRB service

General knowledge of marine safety

Coxswain

General knowledge of the rules, regulations and laws relating to small vessel operations.

General knowledge of seamanship and boating skills

Skills

Crew & Coxswain

Ability to work in a team

Coxswain

Ability to communicate orally with the public

Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Ability to provide marine rescue services

Personal suitability

Judgement
Reliability
Initiative

Official language proficiency: English essential in all regions excluding Quebec region where French is essential.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

Crew and Coxswain

Additional or compensatory training in small vessel operations/basic navigation

Additional or compensatory medical/first aid training

Coxswain

Experience in small vessel practical navigation or seamanship

Extra-curricular experience in organized sports, clubs, teams, volunteer organization, or similar groups

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Crew and Coxswain:

Candidate must successfully obtain a Health Canada medical clearance which includes a physical examination, hearing test, and color-vision examination.

Candidate must successfully obtain a Government of Canada issued reliability security clearance.

Candidate must successfully complete a 16-day training course beginning in May that includes Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) Training, Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training (RHIOT) and First Aid training in order to be considered for further employment in the IRB Service.

Candidate must wear the provided Canadian Coast guard uniform (provided) to Canadian Coast Guard uniform standards.

Candidate must wear the required personal protective equipment (provided) when in the operational field and adhere to the IRB Operational Standing Orders and Standard Operating Procedures.

Candidate must be willing to work extra hours sometimes with little notice.

New Students:

May have to serve as a replacement in neighbouring territories.

Returning Students:

Must be available to work in the regions assigned by the employer; and must be willing to be posted to any IRB station. The CCG reserves the right to post returning IRB students to any IRB station in their assigned region according to operational needs of the IRB Service.

Coxswain:

If chosen for Coxswain, require a minimum of 2 years experience in IRB operations.

As a Rescue Specialist, Coxswains must be RHIOT certified.

C&A Region

Candidate must incur the cost of travel both to and from their assigned station on bi-weekly crew-change days.

Candidate must be willing to work and live at the assigned Canadian Coast Guard station for 2-week duty periods and maintain a 15-minute standby posture at all times.

Quebec Region

Candidate must accept a work schedule comprised of one week of work followed by one week off.

Date Modified: 2012-04-20

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