Canadian Coast Guard opens new search and rescue station in Victoria

A new permanent Canadian Coast Guard station has opened in British Columbia's capital city in time forthe busiestseason on the water.

The search and rescue station, located on Dallas Roadalongside the coast guard'sVictoriabase, officially opened Tuesday and will be staffed24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trained crews will be ready torespond at a moment's notice to a maritime emergency in the area, which is especially important during summer months when boating activity in the area increases.

On site isa 14.7-metre Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat called the CCGS Cape Calvert, as well asa rigid hull inflatable boat.

The station was built with federal funding and replaces temporary search and rescue headquarters that has been in use since 2018.

According toJohn Sartisohn, officer-in-charge at thestation, crews have already responded to 30 search and rescue missions this year and about 300 total since the temporary station was established in 2018.

He said the pandemic hasalso increased the number of inexperienced people on the water as British Columbians soughtCOVID-safe activities.

"It's been busier than years in the past because of that," said Sartisohn, speaking Tuesday on CBC's All Points West.

The station cost$3.8 millionto build and includes a double height workshop for vessel maintenance, a first aid room,as well as living quarters on the second floor for the station crew.

In addition to Sartishohn, the station is also staffed withan engineer and two rescue specialist seamen.

"The new, permanent search and rescue station inVictoriawill allow the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard to better respond to marine emergencies on the busy Strait ofJuan de Fuca," Terry Beech, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, saidin a statement.

The Canadian Coast Guard is opening additional search and rescue stations inBritish Columbiaas part of the federal government's $1.5 billionOceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and protectCanada'smarine environment and coastal communities.

This includes search and rescue stations inHartley BayandTahsis, and a multi-purpose marine response facility planned inPort Renfrew.