Bring Back our Coast Guard Communication Centers

Since April 2015, when our communication center closed on Vancouver Island, Tofino MCTS (Ucluelet Center), we have had 10 fatalities and one lost soul in our waters. That's just here on our coast, surrounding Ucluelet and Tofino BC, alone.

 From wild seas to high winds and small boats, our busy fishing towns are now without immediate help near by. We have local fishermen who come first on scene, without proper training in Marine Rescue.
These centers were located where they are, many years ago, for many reasons.
 
We are facing operators who have lack of local knowledge, black outs, and very poor communications with the center in Prince Rupert. We are trying to relay local waters to someone who has only looked at a map of the area, 1000kms away.

Also, weather observations for Amphitrite point have been stopped. Mariners that have been asking for the weather at Amphitrite Point have be told to use the weather from Cape Beale and Lennard Island and guess. That's close to 100kms between the two. This is not Marine Safety. Weather can change within a few kilometers and fast, here.
 
 So not only is it just the lives and families that have been up heaved through the closure, it's the men and women who call the sea home, who now have much less safety and information.

 What was taken from us, was still being well used and much needed.

 Please, please, we beg of you, return our coast guard communication centers!

Sincerely all West Coasters and beyond.