Welcome Amy Earle
Welcome Amy Earle to our station as a supporting member. Amy will be helping us with many things including:
a) Station Meeting minutes
b) event organization
c) new recruitment
d) general Station admin,
Meet the Crew
Today’s crew is our newest Advanced Crew member,
Amber Cottle.
Member since: October, 2017
Amber is a certified dog trainer and behavior specialist/business owner. She has owned and operated a dog training centre in Delta since June 2003.
Favorite thing with SAR is: There are so many great things about volunteering with SAR. I would say my most favorite thing is the bond we have with each other as Crew members and the unwavering dedication to Crew safety and well-being.
Most memorable thing is: I have lots of great memories but one that stands out is a training exercise on the KM in Welcome Pass in pitch black darkness, in the dead of winter, with 25 knot winds and rough seas. That was an experience!
Total Class Sessions: 50 (93.5 hours)
Total Missions: 2 (7.02 hours)
Total Sea Trips: 40 (120.27 hours)
Total overall Hours: 324 hours
Quote: “I have spent most of my life in the ocean surfing and riding waves but very little time on the water in a boat. I have a healthy respect and understanding of the power of the ocean. I was completely out of my comfort zone when I started with SAR but thanks to the patience and dedication of the members of station 12, I have gained so much more confidence and as a result, achieved Advanced Crew status.”
Crew – working with such an amazing group of individuals
Craft – Experiencing the incredible efficiency and safety of our vessels
Mission – giving back to the community
Meet the Crew
Crew highlight of the week.
Today’s crew is our newest Coxswain and New Crew Training Officer,
John Howcroft
Member since: October 15, 2018
John is an Account Manager with a National Commercial Printer. John likes to go out hiking every Saturday and Sunday morning in the mountains with his two best doggie friends Si & Beula
Favorite thing with SAR is: Navigating and instructing fellow crew members on using Charts and the various ways to Navigate. Also I love BBQ covers after spending so much time under one to practice navigating in Restricted Visibility
Most memorable thing is: To numerous to contemplate but I would say it’s being with such a diverse group of crewmembers and enjoying the time with them all. Also with all the time and training the Coxswains put in so I could go to RHIOT (and not being called Pops by the other trainees) and also getting to CLll-B to become a Coxswain in such a short time.
Total Class Sessions: 94 (207 hours)
Total Missions: 12 (31 hours)
Total Sea Trips: 105 (297 hours)
Total overall Hours: 668
Quote: “Nothing better than being out in an open RHIB in the middle of the winter with high seas and the rain pelting down on you. But seriously it’s the close bond I have come to have with my SAR team members is truly a gift.”
Crew – Look out for each other, Be Safe, Share the knowledge
Craft – To be ready and safe
Mission – Be trained and prepared for all conditions
Do you have what it takes?
Crew Highlight of the Month, April 2018
Crew Highlight of the Month
April 2018
Erin Heeney
Please join us in celebrating our crew highlight of the month who has been with RCMSAR Station 12 for almost 3 years.
Erin’s Achievements:
- 2018-03-21 RHIOT
- 2017-11-18 RCMSAR Annual Fitness Testing
- 2017-06-10 MED A3
- 2017-06-08 TC Medical
- 2017-02-26 First Responder
- 2016-11-01 SVOP
- 2016-11-01 SARnav-1
- 2016-06-25 Flood and Swiftwater Hazard Awareness Course
- 2016-04-27 PCSC Checker
- 2015-11-24 ROC-M
- 2015-11-22 FA Marine Basic
- 1999-12-06 PCOC
Her Journey:
Since joining our team Erin has managed to volunteer over 1000 hours of service. She has recently completed the Rigid Hull Inflatable Operators Training with the Canadian Coast Guard in Bamfield newly promoting her into a Coxswain position at Station 12.
Erin began her journey with Station 12 almost 3 years ago where she quickly found her passion in team building and training others. Erin is happiest when passing on her love of the Collision Regulations. She has kept our training program on track for 2 years, always innovating and developing new strategies. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious and Station 12 is grateful to have her on the team.
Life Outside RCMSAR:
Erin can be found jogging through the woods, fishing in Porpoise Bay for Dungeness crab or generally enjoying everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer. She is an avid sailor and traveler, a free spirit who is always searching for new ways to improve herself. In her professional life Erin works for Praxis Performance Group as their Program Facilitator.
October’s Crew Member of the Month
Tonya Ste. Marie
Please join us in congratulating our crew member of the month who has been with RCMSAR Station 12 for 4 years!
Tonya’s achievements:
- 2017-10-18 Coxswain Leadership 1
- 2017-04-26 Flood and Swiftwater Hazard Awareness Course
- 2017-02-26 First Responder #62191734
- 2017-02-25 PFD Competency Evaluation
- 2017-02-18 CISM 100
- 2017-01-22 SFA (CPR – C) #40108102
- 2004-07-13 PCOC #200029558
- 2003-05-01 ROC-M #023487STE
Her journey:
Tonya started her journey as a supporting member spending countless hours at events such as the Sechelt Night market and numerous fundraising en devours. She was an integral part of the fundraising team helping us promote boating safety as well as the RCMSAR brand. Her contagious smile, passion for the sea and willingness to help others always attracts a positive public response to our cause.
One year ago she became an active SAR team member quickly dominating our new crew, crew level and advanced crew training programs. She has since become lead with our social media program developing a series of boating safety videos that have been well received by our followers. Tonya has increased our online presence exponentially, her dedication displayed in every aspect of involvement with our station.
Recently she has completed the first ever Coxswain Leadership 1 course facilitated at our regional training facility in Sooke BC. Graduating with top marks she will be an excellent asset to the leadership team at Station 12.
Passions outside RCMSAR:
Tonya works for the Sunshine Coast Community Services as a youth care worker. She has deep roots in our community and an impressive commitment to helping young adults. Some of her spare time is spent teaching youth to sail at the YMCA camp Elphinstone in the summer months. Completing the return journey of the Victoria to Maui sailing race last summer she can usually be found racing in the many other competitions held on the Sailish Sea. The ocean courses through her veins, her free spirit, adventuresome attitude and maritime experience make her a natural leader. RCMSAR Station 12 is grateful for her commitment and involvement.
Crew Member of the Month, May 2017
Meet Janis Franklin, May’s Crew Member of the month!
Janis has been an RCMSAR 12 member for 2.5 years! In that time, she’s gained almost 400 hours total volunteer time, which includes 134 hours of sea time and has been on 10 SAR missions.
Janis is a dedicated member of our station and always goes above and beyond to ensure that any task completed is done well and with a huge smile! She also is our resident photographer, always making us look our best!
Thanks for everything that you do Janis, Bravo Zulu!
Search training
Training opportunities 
Training 10:48 Wed Dec 21, we departed Secret Cove boat house, at Welcome pass we met SE 15-25 knot winds, 3 feet seas with the occasional 5 footer. Peter H was at the helm , there was some wind driven spray come over the port side of the boat as we headed for the northwest side Merry Island, the lee side.
We relaxed for a few minutes, Peter H had done great job, maintained speed and kept the ride smooth, good on the sticks for heavy weather handling. At 11:20 Randal E took over, we were one cable off the shore and followed the west side of Merry Island passing the south cardinal buoy on our port heading towards Sargent’s Bay.
We got more involved with our electronics knowing there were Coast Guard vessels already involved. Our AIS search found the Cape Cockburn. It was a couple of miles out of Selma Park breakwater heading towards it. At 11:37 we headed towards Selma Park. As we approached we saw the Cape Cockburn and to aft what looked like a boat being towed. As we got closer we realized it was an orca. 12:00 The Cape Cockburn took the whale from a stern tow to an along side and moved closer to the shoreline. The Department of Fisheries had their RHIB there who took the hand off and moved the whale to the shore.
At 12:25 Sue B took over helm. Now we had following seas for the ride home, the wind had come down a bit . We had a great ride where Sue got to practice heavy weather handling. Back at the boat house at 12:08 it was a good day with a good team. Always good to practice what we know in more challenging situations.
Dave Brown, Coxswain
“The Sechelt Nation is very thankful for all the efforts that RCMSAR12 contributed today. Between DOF and the Cape Cockburn from French Creek it was towed to Selma Park breakwater..”
Peter Forster, Deputy Station Leader
Volunteers Needed
Help us help others.
Weather as duty crew on a fast response craft or as a supporting member in our Society, consider volunteering with RCM-SAR 12.
Station 12 and the Sunshine Coast Marine Rescue Society are currently looking for new members. Training, camaraderie and experience on the water are just a few of the benefits our members enjoy.
The 2016 Active Duty Crew training program begins soon. New Crew interviews and orientation will be held in late September. Classroom and on-the-water training begins in October.
The Sunshine Coast Marine Rescue Society raoses funds and awareness for Station 12. The Society is looking for accounting, event planning, public engagement and education skills.
Please attend our open house on Thursday, September 15th from 6-8pm at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt.
Life rings installed at docks
An initiative was launched by the RCM-SAR Station 12 to
install a life ring at the pier in Davis Bay. After overwhelming support from the District of Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast Regional District. nine more rings will be installed at nine other beaches.
“We kept waiting for someone to install a life ring on that pier. Since it was just encouraging more and more young swimmers to swim off that beautiful new dock,” said RCM-SAR volunteer Jane MacDonald. “ That never really happened.”
In the event of an emergency, it would take RCM-SAR about 30-40 minutes to get to the scene.
“There’s a really, really hot summer coming, and if I were a kid I would be jumping off all those docks and piers,” MacDonald said. “Can we just make sure we have safety equipment?”
In addition to Davis Bay, life rings will be going in on wharves and docks in Porpoise Bay, Secret Cove, Halfmoon Bay, Trail Bay, Whiskey Slough and Pender Harbour.
– See more about this story on the Coast Reporter Newspaper.
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