Team from Royal Canadian Mounted Police assists in rescuing 12 kayakers, found adrift near the U.S. border in British Columbia.
Canada-U.S. Shiprider Program Saves 12 Kayakers in Distress Off Washington Coast
In a remarkable demonstration of cross-border collaboration, a joint rescue operation involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the U.S. Coast Guard, and Washington State Park authorities successfully saved 12 kayakers, including six children, off the coast of Washington state on August 15, 2025.
The kayakers, who were part of two families on an overnight guided tour, found themselves in distress between Patos and Sucia islands. They had encountered challenging conditions on their return trip, prompting them to call for help. A U.S. Coast Guard broadcast alerted the RCMP, initiating the rescue operation.
The operation was part of the Canada-U.S. Shiprider program, a joint maritime law enforcement initiative designed to combat cross-border crime and enhance security in shared waterways. The program facilitates the integrated enforcement of maritime laws, with vessels crewed by officers from both countries.
In this instance, the rescue team, which included an RCMP member, located the stranded kayakers and brought them onboard. Fortunately, all kayakers involved in the rescue are uninjured.
The Shiprider program not only focuses on enforcing maritime laws but also emphasises public safety and emergency response. In this case, the program's teams demonstrated their ability to respond effectively to emergencies, rescuing the kayakers in distress.
The collaboration between the RCMP, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Washington State Park authorities underscores the strategic partnership between Canada and the U.S. in addressing shared security challenges. This successful rescue operation is a testament to the effectiveness of the Canada-U.S. Shiprider program in maintaining border integrity and ensuring public safety.
[1] Canada Border Services Agency. (2021). Canada-U.S. Shiprider. Retrieved from https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/shiprider-patrouille/menu-eng.html [2] U.S. Coast Guard. (2021). Canada-U.S. Shiprider. Retrieved from https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg551/shiprider/ [3] Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (2021). Canada-U.S. Shiprider. Retrieved from https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/canada-us-shiprider [4] Government of Canada. (2021). Canada-U.S. Shiprider. Retrieved from https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/border_security-securite_frontiere/shiprider-patrouille.aspx?lang=eng [5] U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2021). Canada-U.S. Shiprider. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/canada-us-shiprider-program
- In light of the Canada-U.S. Shiprider program's emphasis on public safety, one can imagine that such a cooperation could extend to areas like Toronto, ensuring the safety of large sporting events, such as the Toronto Raptors basketball games, or sports-betting regulations in Canada.
- As the Canada-U.S. Shiprider program continues its success in enhancing security and maintaining border integrity,some might also consider the potential for similar collaborative efforts in other domains, such as preventing illegal sports-betting activities, benefiting both nations.
