The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has joined the chorus of calls for people to avoid travel to small coastal communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter addressed to “fellow mariners” and sent to sailing clubs, yacht clubs and marinas on April 23, Roger Girouard, the Coast Guard’s assistant commissioner for the western region, asks boaters to avoid unnecessary trips.
“I know many of you are heading out on the water as an alternative to other outdoor activities that are currently restricted or discouraged, or are planning to use your vessel as a way to self isolate,” Girouard wrote. “I am asking all mariners to once again come to the aid of others by avoiding non-essential trips and consider staying close to home to save lives.”
Girouard said the number of search and rescue calls is up over this time last year.
“With each response, our search and rescue specialists put themselves at risk of exposure to COVID-19 and use precious supplies of personal protective equipment that is also much needed by critical care workers,” he said.
In his letter, Girouard cautions boaters that most small coastal communities have “closed their villages to visitors to protect their families and fight the spread of COVID-19” and visiting boats may not be able to get fuel, supplies or other services in some communities.
“Your presence in an area could have a serious impact on vulnerable community members, and if you were to get sick, strain limited health care resources of that community,” he said.
The Coast Guard also delivered the same message in a series of tweets on April 20, telling boaters, “You shouldn’t be planning a trip up the coast this spring.”
You shouldn’t be planning a trip up the coast this spring as you may not have access to refueling or supplies, and if you get sick, you could be an additional strain on a small community’s health care resources. #StayHome #WeAreInThisTogether pic.twitter.com/HA1YxSfeWE
— Canadian Coast Guard (@CoastGuardCAN) April 20, 2020
The Sunshine Coast’s volunteer-run Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) stations have already been asking people to think twice before heading out on the water.
“As the weather gets nicer and the days longer, the temptation will be great to head out on the water. We would respectfully ask you to remember that, as a general rule, any travel at this time, marine as otherwise, should be restricted to what is necessary and essential,” crewmember Diana Torrens of RCMSAR Station 61 in Pender Harbour told Coast Reporter recently.
If people do venture out, she said, they are being asked to follow marine safety precautions, such as wearing a personal flotation device, leaving a trip plan, complying with collision regulations and ensuring all mandatory safety and rescue equipment is on board and functioning properly.
RCMSAR Station 16 and Station 12 in Halfmoon Bay remain operational and able to respond in emergencies, but Station 14 in Gibsons took the decision to stand down in late March, in part because many of its volunteer members work in essential services.
While most of the comments on Sunshine Coast social media forums focused on people coming to the area by ferry, some also mentioned recreational boaters and the issue of large yachts visiting the area.
Officials in Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons all said at the time that there was, in fact, little extra traffic at local harbours.
The Boating BC Association, which promotes the province as a destination for recreational boating, said it believes “when done and planned safely, boating with immediate family members is a safe way to recreate in isolation.”
The group’s executive director, Bruce Hayne, said they are working with the province and other government agencies to get boat ramps and access to shared waterways opened when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
“We support the messaging of Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard to limit travel and to stay local,” Hayne said. “We also know that people will go boating and so we have put together strong messaging to promote safe social distancing, planning ahead and to bring along all provisions necessary to keep local communities and first responders safe in the case of an emergency.”
The Coast Guard’s message advising against unnecessary travel to coastal communities follows similar statements from Sunshine Coast Tourism and local governments, including an open letter from Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers, Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) chair Lori Pratt, and shíshálh Nation Chief Warren Paull.
“There is no question that tourists are not welcome right now,” the open letter said. “Our economy depends on visitors, who we will welcome again once we are on the other side of this pandemic. Our message since March is the same today: Stay home and explore the Sunshine Coast later.”
– With files from Sophie Woodrooffe
