7.21

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Coast Guard should systematically analyze its search and rescue data, so that its provision of service is based on current and expected search and rescue needs.

The Canadian Coast Guard will continue to take the appropriate steps to mitigate the risks. The Coast Guard is in the process of improving the methodology of its risk-based approach to more systematically define search and rescue needs. Improvements will be implemented shortly. Results of this improved risk-based approach will also be shared with National Defence through the Canadian Coast Guard/National Defence Search and Rescue Operational Governance Committee.

March 2014

Director General, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard

As of early July 2013, a new Risk Based Analysis of Maritime Search and Rescue Delivery has been developed and approved by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Management Board. The CCG Operations is developing a national implementation plan to begin in 2013.

7.50

To identify and implement staffing and training needs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Coast Guard should review its search and rescue training requirements to ensure that they are in alignment with crewing profiles, and track the number of exemptions granted for vessels to proceed without a rescue specialist.

The Canadian Coast Guard will ensure that cyclical reviews are conducted of the fleet crewing profiles and changes processed to ensure that competencies are reflective of current regulatory and operational requirements. Compliance or non-compliance with the identified requirements will be tracked using the exemption process and monitored through the Coast Guard’s Safety Management System review and audit process.

Fall 2014

Director General, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard

As of mid-July 2013, CCG Operational Personnel have implemented a process for tracking rescue specialist exemptions. Regions will now be reporting rescue specialist exemptions per day exempted. Procedures for a cyclical review will be developed based on the review of the crewing profiles that has been initiated and that will be conducted over the fiscal year. Suggestions for changes to crewing profiles initiated in the regions will be mapped through a process, at headquarters, to ensure common practices and consistencies.