Kitsilano Coast Guard Base will close despite protests; new rescue vessel near Stanley Park announced

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Photograph by: Jenelle Schneider, PNG

Photograph by: Jenelle Schneider, PNG

The Vancouver Sun reports: “The federal government announced Wednesday it will install a new inshore rescue boat at its naval base in Vancouver’s inner harbour to replace the soon-to-be closed Kitsilano coast guard station.

At the same time it says its Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer search and rescue station in Indian Arm will be moved to a new location under Second Narrows Bridge to assist in boating emergency calls in that area.

But the government stood steadfast in its decision to close the storied Kitsilano Coast Guard station at the entrance to False Creek, saying the new rigid-hulled inflatable boat it is placing downtown at HMCS Discovery will adequately serve boaters during the six months it will operate annually. The new three-person boat will go into service in May.

Against the backdrop of a shiny new inflatable boat perched on a trailer for cameras against Vancouver’s skyline, Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp (Pitt Meadows) said this was a tremendous addition to Search and Rescue services in the Vancouver Harbour.

But under questioning from reporters he acknowledged the only new announcement was the plan to locate the already-announced rescue boat at the naval base off Stanley Park.

The move is an effort to appease critics who denounced the station’s closure as a dangerous cost-cutting measure.”

Last modified: January 15, 2013

One Response to " Kitsilano Coast Guard Base will close despite protests; new rescue vessel near Stanley Park announced "

  1. Jason says:

    They photoshopped that dude’s face into the photo twice, right?