The Canadian Coast Guard has four seasonally operated Inshore Rescue Boat stations across the BC coast that reopened for the season on May 20th.

The stations are located in Cortes Bay, Sointula, Nootka Sound and Kelsey Bay and are operating rigid-hull inflatable fast rescue craft with three person crews from May to September. They are strategically placed to ensure the safety of people and property in areas with increased traffic during the summer seasons.

The Canadian Coast Guard also employs post secondary students and naval reservists to partake in the Inshore Rescue Boat program. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Inshore Rescue Boat stations operating in British Columbia.

"We expect it to be a busy year out of Cortes Bay and in Desolation sound. Cortes Bay is one of our oldest stations that we have. It's a rock for us and I'm sure we'll be back for years to come," said Trent Tabor, the deputy superintendent of the search and rescue program in the western region.

Listen below for more from Trent Tabor about the local Cortes Bay station and information about the Coast Guard service: