Tag Archives: Canadian Coast Guard

Cost of Climate Change

Wind, rain and ruin: Iconic wilderness trails limp into summer after storm season

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Windfalls, landslides and washouts.

The iconic West Coast Trail took a serious beating from wild weather this winter — with Parks Canada warning hikers to take extra care navigating the famed hiking route in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the southwest edge of Vancouver Island. 

Indigenous Guardians and park crews have been working hard to remove fallen trees and fix walkways, bridges and ladders wrecked by extreme weather, likely aggravated by climate change, said Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Sayaač̓atḥ, John Jack. 

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Cost of Climate Change

Fisheries and Oceans Canada expects to flounder under mounting climate costs

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Hurricane Fiona left a trail of destruction across the Atlantic Coast in September 2022 wreaking havoc on wharves, fisheries, vessels, and gear and the federal government’s pocketbook.

In response to the climate disaster, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has had to earmark more than $563 million to deal with Fiona’s aftermath, including damage to 142 out of 184 small craft harbours on the Atlantic coast.

However, internal communications obtained by Canada’s National Observer suggest that Hurricane Fiona was just a harbinger of escalating climate-related costs and operational threats DFO expects to face in the coming years. With a shrinking budget, the department is bracing for more severe financial and logistical challenges as the climate crisis intensifies.

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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

New system alerts coastal First Nations about hazardous spills on land and water

Editor’s note: According to the BC Treaty Commission’s Interactive Map, the waters of Von Donop Inlet and Carrington Bay, on Cortes Island, are within the traditional territory We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Nations. They also claim Quadra, Read and Raza Islands, as well as Toba Inlet. These are all areas that are within the traditional territories of the Klahoose First Nation. whose principle village is on Cortes Island. The K’omoks and Klahoose First Nations have overlapping claims on Read, Quadra and Mitlenatch Islands.

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new notification system and app that alerts coastal B.C. First Nations about oil or hazardous chemical spills on their lands and waters was recently launched.

The initiative was developed collaboratively between 12 First Nations and the province’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The process was coordinated by Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative.  

The system uses technology from Alertable, an emergency alert system that is used by various local governments to notify residents about critical alerts in their communities such as those related to floods or fires. 

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Transportation

 Recent Sinking & Previous Derelict Vessels in Squirrel Cove

On Sunday, June 2nd, a 50 foot vessel sank near the Squirrel Cove dock on Cortes island.

“There was quite a lengthy,  involved, process with the Coast Guard and Transport Canada. I am very happy to say  that the vessel has now been removed and environmental remediation has taken place, but that was quite an exciting event for the Harbour Authority,” explained Jenny Hartwick, Harbourmaster for the Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI).

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Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Wrecked Boat on the Rocks Below My Property

Text by Myrna Kerr; Photos by Mike Manson

A boat did a PanPan (“Possible Assistance Needed”) call at 4 AM on January 26, but the contact was not clear. So the Air Sea Rescue Helicopter went out looking for it.  The Sailboat was on the rocks below my house and, of course, out of sight even if it had lights on.

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