There is a new search and rescue vessel docked at the Saint Andrews wharf – a partnership between the Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) Nation and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).
It is a 9-metre interceptor vessel designed specifically for use with military policing and search and rescue (SAR). It was built by MetalCraft Marine Inc.
Harry Sappier is the program director for the Peskotomuhkati Nation and has been working diligently to get the funding for this critical piece of equipment.
“A lot of hard work that we’ve seen has come to fruition,” he said in an interview with The Courier. “I’ve been working on this initiative for the last four years. Once we collaborated with the Canadian Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary … this is a big thing for us, for the nation … not just the nation but the whole community.”
The only CCG SAR vessel available was in Saint John, about one hour away. It will be led by a crew of four women and captained by Tim Wilcox.
“We’re first responders,” Sappier said. “When there is a need, we’re going to be there. This is the homeland of the Peskotomuhkati.”
Sappier said the biggest thing is being able to respond to incidents quickly and effectively. He said the program is volunteer-based, so that the Nation could assist with those willing to train under the Coast Guard Auxiliary program.
Traditional drumming and smudging were part of the ceremony to unveil the new boat. Image: Nathalie Sturgeon/The Courier
The ceremony involved Indigenous drumming and a traditional smudging ceremony inside and outside the boat. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard were also present for the launch – alongside about 50 people who gathered on the wharf.
Gary Ivany, the Canadian Coast Guard’s Assistant Commissioner for the Atlantic region, said he was happy to be part of the unveiling of the new vessel.
“It’s certainly an exciting day for the Coast Guard,” he said in an interview with The Courier.
The boat is part of a fleet of Indigenous community boats that span the Atlantic coast.
“We have a lot of different assets working with different communities. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is vital to be able to deliver safety mandates on the water,” he said.
Mariners, fisherpeople and those enjoying the water will now have a vessel closer to home in their time of need.
“It’ll be tasked on any search and rescue call,” he said. “It’s not always a beautiful day like today, and usually on those not-so-nice days, that’s when experienced crews that we have with us will be called upon.”
Ivany said the partnership between the CCG and Indigenous communities is a vital one.
“We are very much stewards of the same environment,” he said. “It all goes hand-in-hand, and being able to partner with the local community here has been special. We’ve done a lot of training and a lot of exercises … and it was great to get on the vessel this morning,” he said.
The crew has begun forming relationships with the other local first responders in order to keep the water in Charlotte County a little bit safer.
