RCMP set to begin 2015 Mackenzie River sovereignty patrol

Yellowknife NT, June 22, 2015 – Preparations are underway for Operation Gateway 2015.

Operation Gateway is an annual maritime patrol of the Mackenzie River, River Delta, and the coastal waters of the Beaufort Sea. This RCMP patrol is scheduled to last for 17 days, launching from Hay River and concluding in Tuktoyaktuk.

A launch ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10:00 a.m. on July 7, 2015 at the Canadian Coast Guard Dock in Hay River, NT.

Operation Gateway is running concurrently with Operation NUNAKPUT, A Canadian Armed Forces maritime patrol. The purpose of these collaborative operations is to demonstrate interoperability while working within independent mandates.

Throughout the patrol the RCMP will be participating in cooperative training exercises with the Canadian Armed Forces, along with Environment Canada, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The first Operation Gateway took place in 2003 and continues to enhance policing in the North.

Operation Gateway is a mission in which the RCMP will endeavor to achieve several goals:

• To exercise sovereignty
• To maintain and enhance operational readiness in a marine environment
• Respond to calls for service
• Law enforcement and education
• Interoperability
• Community engagement

The RCMP will be deploying the Mackenzie, a 2002 Zodiac Hurricane 920, on July 7, 2015 from Hay River. Updates will be provided for the public to follow the patrol as it continues north. Photos from the patrol will be provided when possible.

The RCMP is committed to protecting the safety of Canadians. Operations such as this improve and strengthen our capacity to respond to emergencies, and provide comprehensive policing services in the North.

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For more information, contact:

Cst. Elenore Sturko
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Liaison
“G” Division RCMP – Yellowknife, NT
Cell: (867) 445-3482
elenore.sturko@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

NT4