Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Service

Job Responsibilities

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. Some of the duties of the IRB Service include:

• Responding to search and rescue incidents or distress incidents any time, day or night, in all weathers
• Public Education
• Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks
• Weather Observations
• Training
• Patrolling
• Multi-Tasking

Responding to Search and Rescue Incidents or Distress Incidents

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Trenton is responsible for tasking our Fast Rescue Craft to respond and provide assistance to mariners in distress or need of assistance. 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.

The following examples depict some of the calls to which members of the Inshore Rescue Boat Program have been tasked.

• Hard Aground
• Sinking Fast
• Deep Fog
• A Job Well Done

Public Education

Every summer, the members of each Canadian Coast Guard Station set up presentations about the Inshore Rescue Boat Service and boating safety. These presentations take place at local elementary and secondary schools, recreational facilities and pools, and group or club meetings. The Service works closely with Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety. If you would like to set up a presentation, contact the SAR Programs office at XCA-SARSarnia@DFO-MPO.GC.CA Topics presented will include:

• Personal Floatation Devices
• Hypothermia
• Regulatory Safety Equipment
• Personal Watercraft Use
• Navigation
• Boating Restrictions and Regulations
• Tips on Protecting the Aquatic Environment

Pleasure Craft Courtesy Checks

The Canadian Coast Guard offers Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check (PCCC's) in partnership with Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety. If requested, an IRB member will come aboard and inspect your vessels' safety equipment. These examinations are beneficial because they ensure that boaters are aware of the regulation safety equipment that must be carried aboard pleasure craft. PCCCs are for educational purposes, and no fines will be given for non-compliance. PCCC days are set up at local marinas or are available upon request.

Weather Observations

Environment Canada relies heavily on the readings that are taken at each Coast Guard Station. Water and air temperature, wind speed and direction, as well as wave height and period are transmitted to the nearest Coast Guard Radio Station and are subsequently used in the continuous marine broadcast. Weather reports are sent in daily, except for Special Weather Reports (SPREPs).

Training

In order to ensure an optimum level of performance, IRB crews dedicate 15% of their operational time on station to training. Coxswains provide training through interactions with other resources, or through instructional methods.

Training topics include: Engine trouble shooting and maintenance, removal of people in the water, search patterns, rough water handling, head and spinal injurys, sponson patching, vessel pacing, helicopter operations, first aid, CPR, navigation, etc.

Patrolling

Patrolling is an important part of IRB duties. Not only does it allow crew members to become more familiar with their area of operation, but it also demostrates a CCG presence in our waters. We often interact closely with other agencies including police, Coast Guard Auxilliary, customs, U.S. Coast Guard and conservation officials. While patrolling, we keep a close lookout for vessels in danger, as well as monitor communications for taskings from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton or the Regional Operations Center in Sarnia.

Multi-Tasking

The IRB Services’ primary responsibility is Search and Rescue, but like all other vessels in the Canadian Coast Guard, IRB vessels may be tasked to non-SAR activities in support of other marine programs. Multi-tasking operations may include assisting with marine traffic control, checking buoy positions, assisting with environmental response operations etc. The Regional Operations Center (ROC) in Sarnia is the controlling center of all non-SAR activity in the region.