Dal researcher says 30% faster rescue response times if Coast Guard resources changed

A Dalhousie PhD graduate is suggesting changes in P.E.I.'s Coast Guard search and rescue resources after doing an Atlantic review for his thesis.

Amin Akbari, an industrial engineering student, analysed all search and rescue calls in the Atlantic region from 2005 to 2012 about 1,000 incidents a year.

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Akbari believes a reorganization of resources could reduce response times by up to 30 per cent in the region.

Currently, the Coast Guard has seasonal search and rescue stations in Souris, P.E.I., and Summerside, P.E.I..

'More efficient'

Akbari suggests adding a lifeboat in Charlottetown or moving the lifeboat in Summerside to Charlottetown, and having New Brunswick resources cover western P.E.I.

"When we are thinking about saving people's lives when they are in a distress situation, the best strategy is to try to make the response more efficient and more effective," he said.

Coast Guard confident

Akbari has shared his information with the Coast Guard. He said the suggestions only look at search and rescue incidents, and vessels could be used for other things, as well, which his review doesn't take into consideration.

In a written response, the Coast Guard said a dedicated inshore rescue boat currently serves Charlottetown, in keeping with the seasonal increase in requests for search and rescue services. The Coast Guard is confident in the SAR coverage currently provided throughout P.E.I. and doesn't have plans to add a lifeboat in Charlottetown.

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