NEWS RELEASE
CANADIAN COAST GUARD
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The Canadian Coast Guard assisted a man and woman aboard a vessel in distress on southern Georgian Bay Tuesday afternoon (July 3). A 32-foot (9.75 m) sailboat was taking on water in Nottawasaga Bay.
Upon detecting a mayday call from the vessel the Coast Guard's Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) in Sarnia issued a mayday relay over the airwaves to alert other boaters.
The Meaford-based crew of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Providence and the Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat crew from Brébeuf Island were tasked to respond by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton. Upon hearing the mayday relay broadcast a third vessel, a private cabin cruiser, also responded.
The Coast Guard assisted the sailors and with CCGS Cape Providence towed the sailboat into the nearest safe haven being Thornbury. Those on board the sailboat were each wearing a personal floatation device, an important factor in boating safety and survival.
Nationally the Canadian Coast Guard responds to over 6,000 calls for marine assistance per year. Search and Rescue is a cooperative effort involving federal, provincial, municipal and territorial governments, as well as volunteer organizations.
For more information about the Coast Guard please click here.
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