The Canadian Coast Guard

The Coast Guard of Canada protects ships and travelers from danger, coordinating and carrying out thousands of search and rescue missions every year. The history of the Canadian Coast Guard began with the creation of the Federal Department of Marine and Fisheries on July 1, 1867. This department was responsible for all aspects of marine activities and navigation, including the all-important shipping industry, as well as fisheries, harbours and ports, ship inspection, care of seamen, lifesaving and navigational aids, and shipwreck inquires.

British Columbia came under the dominion of the Coast Guard when it joined confederation on July 20, 1871. Since then, the Coast Guard has been a very important part of Vancouver Island’s maritime history.

Among the most important achievements was the building of the Bamfield lifeboat station in 1907. Bamfield was also important to the development of marine radio, which warned ships about hazardous weather and even helped them to mark their locations. But perhaps the most important addition to Vancouver Island was the creation of the West Coast Trail along the stretch of coast called the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Today, the Coast Guard continues its long tradition of protection and service in British Columbia and around Vancouver Island. Bamfield is now home to the Coast Guard’s Pacific Region training school (RHIOT). In addition, the Coast Guard maintains over 2000 navigational aids along the province’s vast coastline! They also respond to and clean up environmental accidents such as oil spills.