Grants and Contributions:

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Title:

Raising public awareness through real-time data and visualization of rip currents

Agreement Number:

24030

Agreement Value:

$139,588.00

Agreement Date:

Oct 25, 2024 - Mar 31, 2026

Description:

To contribute to the improvement of Canada’s search and rescue system, this project will first educate the public about rip current hazards and how to avoid them, and second, provide science‑based information on local rip current characteristics related to environmental conditions, as well as make local environmental data available in real time. Although the activities will take place in Tofino, British Columbia, the results will be released on social media, thereby making them accessible to all Canadians. The University of Victoria will achieve the project objectives by obtaining the necessary permits, carrying out and filming dye‑release experiments by drone off the west coast of Vancouver Island, analyzing the data, and disseminating the findings to the public through videos on social media and at visitor centres.

Organization:

Public Safety Canada

Expected Results:

Short-Term Outcomes:
Promote and support projects designed to develop and improve SAR prevention.
* Demonstrate rip currents at three local beaches in a way easily accessible to
the changing demographics of recreational water users.

Medium-Term Outcomes:
Promote and support projects designed to develop and improve SAR prevention.
* Raise awareness of local rip current hazards, provide real-time observations of the local wave field with dedicated wave buoys, and expand knowledge of the characteristics of rip current hazards.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Share SAR response and prevention best practices throughout the SAR community.
* Develop tools for an objective risk assessment of marine hazards for the public.
* Provide public education on safe use of beaches and near-shore waters.
* Contribute to reducing the number of SAR incidents along beaches and the near-shore region.

Location:

Victoria, British Columbia, CA V8P 5C2

Reference Number:

088-2025-2026-Q4-00067

Agreement Type:

Contribution

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Recipient Type:

Academia

Additional Information:

The purpose of this amendment is to increase the Public Safety Canada funding amount from $135,188.00 to $139,588.00.

Amendment Date

Feb 26, 2026

Recipient's Legal Name:

University of Victoria

Federal Riding Name:

Victoria

Federal Riding Number:

59042

Program:

(SAR NIF) Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund

Program Purpose:

The Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund contributes financially towards projects that improve and enhance the enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and innovation of search and rescue activities in the areas of prevention and/or response.

Amendments:

See Amendments