Canadian Coast Guard

by Stella Shepard

A nationally recognized symbol of service and safety, the Canadian Coast Guard owns and operates the federal government’s civilian fleet and provides key maritime services to Canadians.

As a Special Operating Agency of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Coast Guard helps the department meet its responsibility to ensure safe and accessible waterways for Canadians.

The Canadian Coast Guard’s 114 ships, 21 helicopters, and 4,500 members work around the clock to protect and secure 243,000 kilometers of Canada’s coastline. They are first responders and the foundation of Canada’s maritime search and rescue system, saving an average of 15 lives a day.

They monitor 1,233 vessel movements each day across the country, thanks to highly skilled Marine Communications and Traffic Services Officers and Integrated Technical Services personnel. They also prevent threats to Canada’s marine environment and lead the response to pollution events from coast to coast to coast.

They keep the Canadian economy moving by keeping shipping routes clear of ice and facilitating the safe and efficient transport of more than 470 million tons of cargo through Canadian ports each year. They work with partners to identify threats and provide ships, helicopters, and people.

Career titles include, but are not limited to, Engineers, Welders, Machinists, Technicians, Carpenters, and Electricians, who maintain and repair equipment systems on shore.

The Canadian Coast Guard offers many seagoing, and shore-based careers that can lead to any number of postings across the country, even in the Arctic. Many seagoing positions can provide the necessary education, training and experience that can lead to shore-based positions.