Train First Nations for sea rescues: premier
Premier Christy Clark is calling on the federal government to formally integrate First Nations in coastal communities into the coast guard response for sea rescue after the capsizing of a whale-watching boat near Tofino on Sunday.
“They know [the coast] better than anybody else, and they should be part of that response,” Clark said.
The premier’s remarks in the legislature Wednesday follow her visit to Tofino where she talked to first responders in the sinking of the whale-watching boat Leviathan II.
Members of the Ahousaht First Nation were first to the scene in their own boats. Twenty-one people were rescued, five died and one remains missing.
Clark, whose father, grandfather and greatgrandfather were all fishermen, said cellphone service also needs to be improved in the region.
She pledged that the province will ensure “the Ahousaht and other First Nations who have lived on that coast and have fished that region for millennia, who know it better than anyone else, are as prepared as they can possibly be for events like this.”
Clark’s address comes in the wake of criticism from aboriginals that they are often the first responders to marine disasters and yet head out to help with only the clothes on their back, with no official equipment or training.
Ahousaht Chief Coun. Greg Louie said “our guys go out in T-shirts and sweaters” in their own power boats.
“What if one of our guys accidentally falls over or is swept up by a wave and doesn’t have a survival suit?” he said.
Louie said he is not moved by words and promises by politicians and only wants to see action from the provincial and federal governments. “The Ahousaht is hoping they follow through.”
Tourists from around the globe will increasingly come to Tofino and First Nations territories, he said.
“We are always going to be there. We are not going anywhere. We will always respond no matter what kind of weather. We will always do our best, so train us,” Louie said. “And give us the resources and designate Ahousaht as possibly an auxiliary or substation to the coast guard.”
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council has also called for the provincial and federal governments to supply training and equipment to improve the search-andrescue capacity of coastal First Nations.
The Ha-Shilth-Sa First Nation newspaper reported Tuesday that fishermen listening to the distress call to the coast guard Sunday became frustrated as Ahousaht rescuer Clarence Smith tried in vain to explain the magnitude and urgency of the emergency.
Smith responded to a flare and arrived on the scene to find Leviathan II capsized and a lifeboat in the water. He and other fishermen finally switched to a radio frequency used by the Ahousaht, knowing they would respond immediately, the newspaper said.
Louie said many communications problems exist — including that First Nations in the area sometimes use different names for landmarks or islands than are used by the coast guard.
Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP-elect Gord Johns said when he is sworn in next week he will honour his party’s pledge to demand a reversal of the Harper-government’s years of cuts to the coast guard and planned closing of the Comox marine communications and traffic services stations.
He will also call for re-establishment of the Ucluelet marine station.
“My colleagues up and down Vancouver Island and on the coast of B.C. are supporting us going to Ottawa and calling on the government to better support the protection of coastal mariners,” Johns said.
The coast guard said the Tofino area is covered by Prince Rupert communication station. All calls directed to Tofino coast guard radio are answered by Prince Rupert.
The coast guard station in Tofino has a lifeboat and fast response craft. A search-and-rescue squad operates a boat from nearby Ucluelet.
Johns said the aboriginal people of remote B.C. coastal areas need more support and resources for the emergency response work they do.
He said while in Tofino Monday he heard of aboriginals from communities with 70 per cent unemployment raising funds for fuel for their boats so they can keep searching for the missing passenger.