Search & Rescue Dispatches, June 2017

When a 40-foot powerboat began sinking on June 4, a sunny Sunday afternoon, seven people were rescued off the North side of Keats Island, Howe Sound.  RCMSAR Station 14 Gibsons and Station 1 West Vancouver, along with a Canadian Coast Guard vessel and crew from Kitsilano Base, were tasked by Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria. With the additional help of a vessel of opportunity, all SAR teams worked closely together to ensure everyone made it safely home, and the boat got towed.

Calls for help on the water go to JRCC Victoria which coordinates and directs Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) within its area of responsibility. The centre serves as a communications hub and primary point of contact for the coordination and direction of rescue units and on-scene commanders in order to fulfill the mission in the safest and most effective manner possible.

Please remember to dial *16, #727 or call 1-800-567-5111 to report a marine emergency.

The Sunshine Coast has three volunteer-staffed Marine Search and Rescue stations which respond to boater emergencies; Station 14 in Gibsons, Station 12 in Halfmoon Bay / Porpoise Bay and Station 61 in Pender Harbour.  To honour Canada’s 150th, RCMSAR crew will be escorting paddlers on July 1 as they traverse the length of Sechelt Inlet.

On land, Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue (SC SAR) is preparing for their AGM and reflecting on the past year’s 16 tasks involving 20 people in a variety of settings. A recent example was a task to assist at a motor vehicle accident where it was suspected the driver was missing; fortunately the driver was located. As we enter into peak season for enjoying the outdoors, SC SAR wishes to remind people of some basic safety precautions. Before heading in to the back country, leave a trip plan with someone, take ample food and water, bring a functioning, fully charged communication device and make sure you have proper gear, including first aid supplies.

Both Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue will be implementing new membership recruiting drives this September with training starting the first week of October. In late June a volunteer application form will be posted on the website at sunshinecoastsar.ca or visit rcmsar12.org for details.