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!
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..”
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.
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.
Rescue crew warming up at the Polar Bear Swim 2015 in Davis Bay.
Even if you don’t know the green side from the red side or the pointy end from the flat end, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue appreciates your interest. This could be your opportunity to join a diverse team of fun people who like to learn new skills while contributing back to their local community. RCMSAR is a volunteer organization with the mission to save lives on the water. Achieving this mission requires people with a range of skills and experience, for both active SAR positions and support positions.
Friendships, passion and dedication
The regional organization is made up of more than 1,200 men and women from juniors of 16 years to seniors in their 80s, with every sort of education or background experience. Volunteers are trained to respond to all sorts of marine emergencies. We also help in areas such as administration, vessel maintenance, fund-raising and boating safety/education.
New members learning self recovery skills
Becoming an active SAR crew member requires passion, energy and time. The reward is friendship, fun and helping those in need. As well as on the water crew there are also management roles and supporting positions available. Ongoing training is provided both on the water and in the classroom at no personal cost. This a requirement for maintaining active status. Training includes skills such as boat handling, seamanship, navigation, radio operations, first aid, search and rescue and collision regulations.
All RCM-SAR stations are under the same overall organization and operate in the same manner of volunteer crews and supporters. Utilizing and maintaining modern, well equipped, purpose built rescue vessels, we remain at the ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Oyster Beach, Sechelt Inlet
If you are interested in joining our team, please email: info@rcmsar12.org
Help us help others.
An initiative was launched by the RCM-SAR Station 12 to
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