Ahousaht’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team has extensive search and rescue training and a vessel that’s equipped with the latest marine technology. These are critical assets as they race to find a sinking fishing boat with a man overboard.

Every marine search and rescue mission begins with a catastrophe on the water, from capsized boats to lost kayakers. Ahousaht’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team searches for a diver who became separated from his diving partner.

Ahousaht’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team is highly qualified to carry out marine rescues and promote water safety. There are times when their mission is to support the members of their community, including youth who are considered at risk.

The First Nations communities along B.C.’s coastal waterways have been expert mariners and boat builders for thousands of years. This history makes the Ahousaht Nation a formidable search and rescue team on Vancouver Island’s rugged western coastline.

After a long day of patrolling the waterways in Quatsino Sound, the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team is tasked with searching for two missing kayakers. As night falls and temperatures drop, the search for the kayakers becomes an urgent mission.

Under optimal weather conditions, the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary’s rescue boat can travel up to 50 knots an hour. With that power, the Quatsino team heads to a remote inlet to check on an Elder whose family is concerned about their wellbeing.

‘Namgis territory covers several islands off of northern Vancouver Island and along the Nimpkish River, making every search and rescue mission challenging. The ‘Namgis team searches for a beachcomber who has been missing from the area for two days.

Training exercises are critical to the success of every search and rescue mission. Quatsino’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team practices high-speed manoeuvres and crew overboard drills so they are ready for anything the ocean throws at them.

Heiltsuk’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team uses marine radar, longitude and latitude coordinates and an extensive knowledge of local waters in their rescues. In today’s mission, the team searches for a crab fisherman stranded on his boat.

The Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary program has created job opportunities for First Nations people in eight coastal communities in British Columbia. In today’s mission, the Heiltsuk team investigates a possible oil spill in their traditional waterways.

B.C.’s coastal waterways are littered with fallen trees and debris that create a serious hazard to boaters. Heiltsuk’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team is tasked with doing a shoreline search for an overdue fishing boat with one man aboard.

An oil spill from a grounded tug and barge in 2016 proved devasting to the Heiltsuk, who use their waterways for food, transport and cultural practices. Today, Heiltsuk’s Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary team searches for a missing community member.

In this episode of “Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready,” representatives from the eight Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary teams travel to Prince Rupert to take part in a friendly skills competition. Who will emerge victorious?