City Concerned About Coast Guard Closures

Mayor Dennis O’Keefe met with key stakeholders on May 15 to discuss Port security and safety issues surrounding the closure of the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre.

“All of us agreed that we are very concerned about this decision and the effect it will have on our ability to respond to emergency situations in St. John’s Harbour and the surrounding waters,” says Mayor O’Keefe. “Mariners depend on the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre and the loss of local knowledge will be detrimental to the safety and security of the Port.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from the St. John’s Port Authority, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, St. John’s Regional Fire Department, the Harbour Master and Merv Wiseman, who led the effort to save the Marine Rescue Centre which closed in 2012.

Another concern to come out of the meeting was the lack of consultation and Mayor O’Keefe is hopeful that Minister Peter McKay, the province’s regional minister with the federal government, will be willing to sit down for a meeting to discuss the situation.

“There was minimal consultation on the decision to close this centre, but I am very hopeful that Minister McKay will agree to meet with us to discuss our concerns,” says Mayor O’Keefe. “Ultimately we hope the federal government will reverse its decision.”

The Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre in St. John’s is scheduled to close in 2014, with services to be provided from another location with fewer combined staff.

For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Dennis O’Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 576-8477
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca