Country Report: Canada
National level search and rescue update
• The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) has moved
from the Department of National Defence to Public Safety under
the Emergency Management Program Branch (EMPB)
• The Canadian Armed Forces retains the Operatioan Coordination
of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC’s).
• Witin the JRCC’s the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) coordinates
all aviation SAR incident and the Canadian Coast Guard
coordinates the maritime SAR within Federal Waters throughout
Canada’s AOR.
Arctic SAR incident overview
• In 2015 there were 60 Category 1 & 2 incidents North of 55o
prosecuted by the JRCC’s. The five year average is 56 Cat 1 & 2.
This does not take into account the Territories which had roughly
250 incidents of which ~ 25 were Cat 1 or 2 in Iquluit alone.
• In perspective the incidence of SAR incidents is almost 20 times
higher in the Arctic in comparison with all of Canada.
Arctic SAR incident overview
• February 2016 the Fishing Vessel Saputi with 30 crewmembers
onboard struck ice and began taking on water 220 nm WSW of
Nuuk Greenland (1080 NM NW of Gander). Over the next 47
hours, JRCC Halifax and JRCC Greenland jointly coordinated the
response by tasking numerous resources to render
assistance. Resources included three RCAF C-130 Hercules,
HDMC Knud Rasmussen and CCG Louis S. St Laurent
• The C-130’s delivered 4 pumps and remained on scene to
provide top cover and communications, while the HDMC Knud
Rasmussen delivered pumps and transfered 3 Technicians. They
escorted the severly listing F/V into Nuuk.
Arctic SAR incident overview
• January 2016, EMO Nunavut advised JRCC of 8 stranded
snowmobilers on moving ice floe in the area of Coral Harbour NU.
Local SAR community satisfied to wait until next day for ground
rescue. On January 10, JRCC is advised that the floe moved outwards
and is breaking up. 435 Sqn C-130 Hercules (Winnipeg) and 413 Sqn
CH-149 Cormorant (Greenwood).
• The C-130 dropped radio, supplies and 2 Sea Rescue Kits (SRK).
Party's condition reported as stable and without injuries. The CH-149
encountered departure delays affecting their crew day therefore a
413 Sqn Hercules picked up a Cormorant crew in Gander, taking over
the CH-149 in Iqaluit. All 8 individuals were recovered and
transported them to Coral Harbour
National level Project update
•JAE 2016 Joint Arctic Experiments
• Airborne Hyper Spectral Imagery (HSI) - ISR, evaluate
airborne and space borne HSI capability
• Op NUNALIVUT (Resolute) Unclassified Remote-sensing
Situational Awareness (URSA)
• CCG Vessel(s) – Manned & Unmanned systems
• Canadian Coast Guard
• Northern Marine Transportation Corridors Initiative
• Expansion of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the Arctic
• Arctic Hydrography & Charting
Arctic exercise & Workshop overview
•Arctic Zephyr TTX
•Northwest Passage TTX
•AECO TTX Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators
•SARiNOR 7 TRAINING, STUDIES & COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT FOR SAR-OPERATIONS IN THE HIGH
NORTH
•Arctic IONS Arctic-Related Incidents of National Significance
Workshop on Maritime Mass Rescue Operations
•GRØNLAND Livex 2016
•Arctic Chinook FTX
URSA COLLECTION FOOTPRINT
Aircraft Sensors and Space
RADARSAT-2
• image acquired
26 February
2016 22:43:09
UTC
• The tracks
displayed are
snowmobile
tracks not readily
visible on the
ground or by
aircraft