New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF)

Final Reports

Fiscal Year 1999-2000

Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(Canadian Coast Guard)

• National Interactive Safe Boating Test 13
• NWT PFD Loaner Program
• CCGA SAR Equipment Initiative
• Prevention of Boating Related Drowning Fatalities and Injuries
• Coherent Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radar
• Creation of an International Marine SAR Society
• Boating Foundation Phase 2: Ice Rescue
• Navigation Tools Education
• Drowning Prevention for the Outdoor Enthusiast (cancelled) *
• Safe Paddling Guide for Canoeing, Kayaking and Sea Kayaking

* Not Available

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1997/1998.

The National Interactive Safe Boating Test both educated boaters about a variety of boating safety issues and served as a tool for gathering data about some unsafe boating habits that currently exist. The objective of the project was to promote boating safety regulations and encourage the boating population to get trained and obtain a boating safety operator card.

A multimedia campaign was launched including a poster ad, web site, thirteen 1-minute mini-tests, and a one-hour television show. The poster ad was distributed by twenty-four organizations and included participation from Reader's Digest (May issue), Boat Guide Magazine, and Boat for Sale Magazine.

By March 31, 2000 the Interactive Safe Boating Test was presented at thirteen boat shows where 21,000 ballots were filled out. Participants could also take the test on-line. Anyone who participated in taking the test was eligible to win prizes.

Deliverables

- Poster ad
- Web site: http://www.betterboater.com
- One-hour television show (aired in September 2000)
- Thirteen one-minute mini-tests
- Summary Report

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1997/1998.

The NWT Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Loaner Program placed PFDs in Eastern and Western Arctic communities with both high drowning rates and limited access to PFDs. The objective of the project was to increase both awareness and usage of PFDs in these communities. 

This program made PFDs that were suitable for the culture and the environment available for residents to borrow by completing a sign-out sheet prior to use. When the PFD was returned, the user would fill out a brief questionnaire designed to gauge user attitudes towards the product borrowed. None of the communities had to re-stock any of the PFDs purchased for the program because all products were returned after use.

Communication activities were aimed at: The Office of Boating Safety (Central and Arctic Region); the Government of the Northwest Territories (Department of Transportation); Hamlet/Community Councils; Hunter and Trappers Associations; and Mustang Survival.

The PDF Loaner Program had an impact. Not only was there a noticeable increase in the use of PFDs in the participating communities, but also several communities requested that they take over the program once the NIF funding ended. The Office of Boating Safety saw this request as a positive step towards changing attitudes related to the use of PFDs.

In light of the success of this program, funding will be sought after to continue supporting this program in existing communities as well as develop the program in additional Central and Arctic communities.

Deliverables

- NWT Safe Boating Council PFD Loaner Program: Loan Form

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

The CCGA SAR Equipment Initiative increased the capability of the CCGA by providing each of their volunteer vessels (approximately 1,000-1,200) with necessary SAR and personal protection equipment. The project aimed at increasing both the effectiveness and the capability of CCGA volunteers by providing them with equipment to enable longer search periods while protecting them from the elements to ensure their safety and well being. As a result, search time was reduced as well as Crown liability for volunteers. The equipment included: personal flotation exposure suits; Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) cruise suits; cold weather gloves; line-throwing devices; high powered hand-held searchlights; night vision goggles; and rescue helmets.

Members of the CCGA have indeed reported a decrease in search time in several SAR incidents made possible through the use of the night vision equipment and high-powered search lights.

As a means of documenting the impact of this initiative, each regional CCGA organization will report on the use of the equipment during SAR operations and training exercises.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

The Prevention of Boating Related Fatalities and Injuries project promoted awareness of self-rescue techniques in various boating situations to prevent boating related fatalities and injuries. An integrated Public Awareness campaign (radio, television, newsprint and magazine components) was developed and delivered to males aged 17 years via the educational system, outreach channels, recreation, First Nation, and emergency services. All material was made available in English and French (some available also in Dene and Cree).

During the Fall of 2000 the products were distributed to: all Northern Saskatchewan high schools, Health Districts, Band Offices and the RCMP. At the time of this report, the full impact of the project was not yet known, however the products had been tested with various groups who provided positive feedback.

Deliverables

- "Be Your Own Hero" - video
- "Be Your Own Hero" - Teacher's Guide

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

The Coherent Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radar's primary objective was to develop a prototype radar that could be used to evaluate the benefits of using UHF frequencies for the detection of small targets (i.e. liferafts and small icebergs) in high sea-states. The UHF spectrum was chosen because it provides a "window" where the clutter energy scattered back from a sea surface is significantly less than at other radar frequency bands. In addition, coherent radar operation could be achieved at UHF with off-the-shelf cell phone technology. 

The project involved both development and assembly of the prototype radar. Following the assembling stage, a software suite was developed to capture and process the UHF radar echoes. The final stage involved extensive field tests.

The field tests included first the UHF Radar being tested in Newfoundland against conventional X-Band radar. Following this first field test, the UHF radar prototype was field tested in Prince William Sound, Alaska for 4 weeks. The benefits proven by both of these field tests included; that at intermediate and far ranges the amount of ocean clutter received by the UHF radar is less than that of standard marine radars; that the increase in ocean clutter received by the UHF radar with increasing wind speed is less than that of other band marine radars; that the coherent operation allows for enhanced detection of weak targets in the presence of clutter; and that Doppler processing may be used to remove clutter to detect weak slow moving targets.

Other organizations involved in this initiative included: Sigma Engineering Limited of St. John's Newfoundland (microwave radar equipment for field trials); Regional Citizens' Advisory Council of Valdez, Alaska (funding for Alaska field test); U.S. Coast Guard (helicopter support for the Alaskan field trial); the Ship Escort and Vessel System (vessel support for Alaskan field trial); and Auklet Charters of Cordova, Alaska (charter services and accommodations for Alaskan field trial).

Deliverables

- UHF Radar, Prince William Sound Field Program - Final Report (December 1999)
- Coherent Ultra High Frequency Radar, New SAR Initiatives Fund Final Report
- UHF Radar for Small Target Detection, paper to be presented at Oceans 2000 Conference
- Ocean Clutter Characteristics in a Doppler UHF Radar, NECEC '99 Proceedings, NF

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

The International Search and Rescue Society (ISARS) is an international non-profit organization of SAR practitioners that facilitates the exchange of information and knowledge on SAR. Individuals with a vested interest in SAR were invited to become members of ISARS, and publications made available to ISARS were posted on the web site so that they could be easily accessed by anyone interested.

The web site served as an effective means of communicating the intent of ISARS, as well as obtaining publications of interest, keeping informed on any upcoming SAR events of interest and informing viewers of new developments.

At the time of this report, the web site was being visited, unofficial membership was up to 25 people, and requests for publications was increasing (only the first publication was available at this time).

Further development of ISARS continued at the expense of the Canadian Coast Guard.

Deliverables

- Web site: http://www.isars.org
- "Promoting SAR and saving lives through knowledge"

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The objective of the Boating Foundation Phase II - Ice Rescue was to increase the Search and Rescue capacity of the St. Lambert, QC Fire Department to include the ability to conduct SAR missions year round. This initiative was the second of two phases to properly outfit the SAR team, the first phase provided equipment with standard water rescue equipment. Phase 2 involved further outfitting the team with equipment necessary to meet rescue needs on a body of water in freezing temperatures.  The equipment chosen was the "Rescue Alive" an innovative ice rescue sled that provides for efficient victim recovery (see image).

As a result, the St. Lambert Fire Department (SLFD) is prepared to respond more effectively to SAR incidents year round and of various circumstances. At the time of this report the SLFD had already used the "Rescue Alive" to respond to an incident, and had remarked that they were extremely satisfied with the now available cold water/ice rescue equipment.

In the future, the SLFD would like to improve their SAR capability by upgrading their communication system and acquiring cold water exposure suits for responders.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

Navigation Tools Education increased the knowledge of modern navigation tools' (primarily Global Positioning System) capabilities and limitations among fishers and recreational boaters. Persons were also educated about how Global Positioning System (GPS) is used with Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) products (i.e. navigational charts, electronic charts, sailing directions).

Project activities included: conducting seminars on the use of GPS in various Atlantic Regions; visiting chart dealers to ensure up-to-date CHS products/services were available to clients as well as to ensure that dealers were aware of the initiative; participation in two boat shows (Halifax and St. John) to promote CHS products (yielded approximately 30,000 participants); seminars; and to raise public awareness of new developments in navigation tools; and the development of a thematic map with the intent of identifying high-risk or problem marine areas in need of CHS surveying/charting.

Communication activities were directed to the Atlantic Marine Trades Association, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary- Maritimes, Canadian Coast Guard - SAR and Marine Traffic Sections, Canadian Marine Advisory Council-Maritimes, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Industry Canada, Maritimes Fisherman's Union, Office of Boating Safety, Transport Canada, and various Yachting Associations (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island).

As a result of the project activities, 95 per cent of the 400 fishers and recreational boaters who attended GPS seminars indicated in post-seminar evaluations that they had increased their knowledge of GPS and 98 per cent had increased knowledge on the use of navigational charts. In addition, the development of the thematic map permitted the CHS to identify congested areas of incidents enabling them to select areas in need of additional surveying/charting to help prevent SAR incidents.

Deliverables

- GPS and NAD 83/NAD 27 - What you need to know - handouts at GPS Seminar
- Perils of Modern Navigation - Atlantic Boating News - Boat Show Edition - Feb./Mar 2000.
- Thematic Mapping Project - A report by Amanda Mills (March 2000).

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This project was sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canadian Coast Guard) and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

This project aimed at educating paddlers on boating safety practices and reduce SAR cases by making free literature on Safe Paddling for Canoeing, Kayaking and Sea Kayaking available to the public sector. These activities were carried out in conjunction with manufacturers, various parks, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.

Over the past ten years, participation in canoeing, kayaking and sea kayaking has expanded at a rapid rate. This population of boaters made up 27 per cent of all boating related drownings in 1996, which justified a safety campaign such as this one.

During this project, a camera-ready artwork sheet of clipart was produced, a website was designed and installed and a rough draft of the "Safe Paddling Guide for Canoeing" was completed. Due to an increase in staff turnover the project could not be completed within the set time limit, however the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association (CRCA) planned on completing the project on its own.

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