Marine Transport Incident

The District of Oak Bay is bordered on two sides by the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Directly off of the coast of Oak Bay is an international shipping lane for marine transport.  This vital marine link supports shipping to Canada’s largest port in Vancouver as well as to the United States, each day a multitude of cargo passes by our shores on its way to mainland destinations.  There have been very few local disasters from this marine link however we do need to plan for a Marine Transportation incident.

Authority

Vessels at sea in Canadian waters are governed by the Royal Canadian Coast Guard. In the event of an emergency Coast Guard personnel are trained to provide marine rescue for and spill protection from these those vessels. Canadians can expect the federal government to:

  • protect the marine environment;
  • support economic growth;
  • ensure public safety on the water; and
  • ensure Canada’s sovereignty and security by establishing a strong federal presence in our waters.

The Canadian Coast Guard helps the government meet the public’s expectation of clean, safe, secure, healthy and productive waters and coastlines.

Oak Bay Responsibility

It is our policy to provide support and assistance as requested, which may include Emergency Support Services for people impacted by the incident.

What to Do

In a Marine Emergency

​Use the contact numbers listed on the Canadian Cost Guard website to report overdue or missing vessels or aircraft; vessels disabled, capsized, disoriented, aground or taking on water; missing persons on the water; sightings of distress flares or signals.

For an Oil / Fuel Spill

Provide complete, concise information on reporting pollution, or threats of pollution in the Marine Environment.