The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in this province respond to 30 per cent of the more than 1,600 calls that come into the Atlantic Rescue Coordination Centre.

To maintain the auxiliary’s skills, the Canadian Coast Guard offers search and rescue training seminars each year.

One of those training sessions took place at the Royal St. John’s Yacht Club in CBS this weekend.

Andrew Daley is one of the 800 mariners and 400 vessels that make up the 10 districts of the auxiliary in this province.

He says that he has responded to calls every year of his 34-year career. Including a call 20 years ago on Boxing Day when three people were in trouble. That was a success story and all three men came home.

He says that the auxiliary expedites rescues and it is a great asset to mariners all around Newfoundland and the survival of people in trouble.

Daley had to contact the Coast Guard when his boat needed to be towed off the coast of Baffin Island to Greenland. The Auxiliary answered the call.

His vessel was two days under tow. He says when mariners get the call, they drop what they’re doing and go to help.