by Barbara Simpson for The Sarnia Observer
[Editor’s Note: Sarnia is home to the Coast Guard’s Central and Arctic Regional Headquarters.]
They laid the first transatlantic fiber optic cable, performed ice rescues on the St. Clair River and provided aid during Hurricane Katrina.
The men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard were saluted during the local kickoff of its 50th anniversary golden jubilee at the Sarnia government dock Thursday. Schoolchildren sang Happy Birthday and a ceremonial flag was unveiled on an upper deck of the massive CCGS Griffon.
The Regional Operations Centre located on Christina Street is in charge of all the operations in the Central and Arctic Region, a fact that still surprises many.
“Most people in the Sarnia area don’t realize that we use the office to control operations in the Arctic,” said Wade Spurrell, assistant commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
The anniversary comes at a time when the coast guard’s fleet is set to grow. The region will welcome its first Hero class mid-shore patrol vessel later this summer. These vessels will conduct security patrols of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
As the coast guard moves forward, the Harper government is committed to funding it properly, Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren told crews in attendance Thursday.
The federal government has invested more than $1.4 billion to modernize the fleet and provide proper tools and training. That includes new fishery science vessels that allow for research in Canadian waters.
“My own riding of Chatham-Kent-Essex includes a sizable portion of the north shore of Lake Erie,” Van Kesteren told the crowd. “The commercial fishery, recreational boating and sport fishing all contribute to the health and economy of our province.”
The Canadian Coast Guard is also a sizable employer. To date, more than 4,000 Canadians are employed by the agency. Half operate the fleet of 116 vessels that provide round-the-clock service.
In the summer of 2010, members of the Central and Arctic Region were tested when back-to-back ship groundings happened in the arctic. Cruise ship passengers had to be evacuated and the scene monitored for pollution.
Sarnia’s Regional Operations Centre had to work hand-in-hand with radio officers in Iqaluit to coordinate fleet efforts.
“These are just a few of the many proud accomplishments of the men and women of Central and Arctic Region,” Spurrell told the crowd. “On this special occasion of our 50th anniversary, we honour our personnel, both past and present, at sea and ashore for their significant contributions toward making our waterways a safer place for all.”
Public events to mark the golden jubilee are slated throughout the year.