FAQ's
What is the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary?
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary is an organization established by the Canadian Coast Guard in 1978. Made up of dedicated volunteers who assist the Coast Guard in marine search and rescue operations and prevention, the Auxiliary enhances Canada's search and rescue (SAR) capability.
Through SAR response, prevention and safety related activities, the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard work together to achieve their common objective of preventing the loss of life and injury.
 Back to Top
How is the organization structured? Is the CCGA independent from Government?
In seaside villages, marinas and ports across Canada, auxiliarists are organized into units that handle missions in their vicinity. Each unit is led by an elected unit leader. A group of units combines to make up a zone led by a director who sits as a board member of the regional association.
The Auxiliary is incorporated into six non-profit regional associations:
CCGA Newfoundland Inc.;
CCGA Maritimes Inc.;
CCGA Quebec Inc.;
CCGA Central & Arctic Inc.;
CCGA Pacific Inc.; and,
CCGA National Inc. responsible for directing the activities of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliaries.
The presidents of each of the five regional associations are members of the CCGA National Council. Each association has a legal entity separate from that of the Government of Canada.
The CCGA is proud of its independent status, but works closely with the Canadian Coast Guard and other organizations to provide a co-ordinated sea rescue service.
Back to Top
What cover does the CCGA provide? Does the CCGA have a mandate for prevention?
The territory covered by the CCGA is vast. Canada's area of responsibility stretches over 5.3 million square kilometres, bordering some of the most rugged coastline in the world. In addition, the CCGA is also present on many of Canada's major inland waterways. Its units are especially concentrated within those high risk areas where the requirements are greatest.
The Auxiliary is an important element of Canada's marine safety net and also assists the Coast Guard in promoting safety on Canadian waters. CCGA activities include marine safety equipment demonstrations, safe boating lectures, and exhibits and boat show displays. CCGA members also conduct courtesy checks for pleasure crafts and small fishing vessels.
Back to Top
Why a voluntary service?
The most important reason for a voluntary service is efficiency. Each CCGA unit attracts a number of the most able and active members of the community. Their time, expertise and local knowledge cannot be bought. Their intimate knowledge of their own waters and coastline is often vital to a successful rescue.
Because auxiliarists are only reimbursed for out of pocket expenses when tasked to a SAR mission, the Government of Canada receives the equivalent of $30 in services from the CCGA for every dollar actually spent. In other words, CCGA members save Canadian taxpayers millions by providing services at a fraction of the cost of maintaining the same number of Coast Guard units at the ready.
Back to Top
Who are the CCGA members? How do you become a CCGA member?
Members are primarily pleasure craft operators and commercial fishermen who use their own vessels for Auxiliary-related activities. All CCGA members are dedicated to saving and protecting lives in distress.
It is expected that, in order to work within the umbrella of the Canadian SAR system as a CCGA member, a person must have the skills, knowledge and certification to perform duties on board a vessel accepted in the Auxiliary.
For more information on how to become a member of the Auxiliary, contact the CCGA office in your region.
Back to Top
How many members and units does the CCGA have?
The Auxiliary is made up of 5,000 dedicated volunteers and 1,600 vessels with a combined asset value of over 215 million dollars. Vessels are either privately owned, community owned or on loan from the Canadian Coast Guard.
Back to Top
Are the members trained and equipped?
Once a person has become a full-fledge member of the Auxiliary, they participate in an on-going training regime including SAR operations and safe boating activities to enhance their capabilities in the delivery of the program. Crew members spend many hours of their own time training to become skilled and highly efficient volunteers.
All vessels must meet strict standards in order to become part of the Auxiliary fleet. Members are responsible for keeping their boats properly maintained and equipped.
Back to Top
Are CCGA members insured?
The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides insurance protection for Auxiliary members and their vessels while on authorized activities.
Back to Top
How is the CCGA funded and how can people support the CCGA?
Auxiliary members are unpaid volunteers. The CCGA is partially funded by the Canadian Coast Guard, through a contribution agreement, for out-of-pocket expenses while involved in authorized activities.
The Auxiliary also receives donations from the public and other organizations to support their activities. Since the Auxiliary is a charitable organization (BN/Registration number 870298494RR0001), donations are tax-deductible.
Back to Top
How many cases does the CCGA handle on average?
CCGA vessels conduct over 1,800 rescue missions each year. They contribute to more than 25% of all marine call-outs in Canada and save an average of 200 lives each year.
Back to Top
How is a CCGA unit called out?
Most of the calls come from one of three Joint Canadian Rescue Co-ordination Centres known as JRCCs or one of two Marine Rescue Sub-Centres or MRSCs. These centres are responsible for the planning, co-ordination, conduct and control of SAR operations.
Their job is to direct the closest and most appropriate search and rescue resources to a distress call. These centres, staffed by SAR co-ordinators from the Canadian Military and the Canadian Coast Guard, are on full alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round.
Because of the effective organizational structure of the CCGA, the Canadian Coast Guard is able to keep up-to-date information on active auxiliarists and can match almost instantly a distress call to the nearest CCGA unit.
Depending on the type of incident and where it is, the RCC can decide to call upon the Coast Guard, National Defence or CCGA resources. They all work together very closely and frequently take part in joint training exercises.
Back to Top
Does the CCGA charge for its rescue services?
The reason no charge is made to anyone is because it is felt strongly that the prospect of being charged for a service would discourage anyone in trouble at sea from alerting the Rescue Co-ordination Centres. Any delay in calling out the centres could endanger the life of the victims or rescuers going to their aid.
Back to Top
|
