Coast Guard Captain Loses Job After Failing to Respond to Distress Call

Credit: Aaron Adetuyi / CBC

A captain with the Canadian Coast Guard has been dismissed after investigators concluded he intentionally ignored a distress call from a fishing vessel in trouble near Prince Edward Island. The case, reported by The Maritime Telegraph, has raised serious concerns about emergency response procedures at sea.

The incident took place on May 13, 2024, when a fishing boat with five people aboard ran aground in Malpeque Harbour. An investigation found that the captain of a nearby Coast Guard patrol vessel lowered the radio volume after receiving the distress signal and continued along the planned route for about 17 minutes before contacting the marine communications centre for guidance.

The patrol boat later changed course toward the scene. However, by the time it arrived, firefighters from the local department had already rescued all five people from the stranded vessel. No injuries were reported.

The captain, who had served in the Coast Guard for 18 years, argued that crews must wait for formal tasking before responding to incidents. He also said he believed his vessel was much farther from the distress location than it actually was. In addition, he mentioned possible radio problems and safety concerns related to navigating the shallow channel.

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board ultimately ruled that the officer had “willfully disregarded a distress call.” The board determined that the Coast Guard had valid grounds to dismiss him and rejected his appeal, making the termination final.

Global News

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