June-2012 - Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Compass
On Sunday, June 3, 2012,
crewmembers Angela
Nemeth and Beatrice
Sorensen from Station 12
Halfmoon Bay tragically
lost their lives in a training
accident in Sechelt Inlet.
Friends and colleagues
John Wiseman, Mark
Coombs and Lori Pickering
remember both women
for their enthusiasm and
commitment to search and
rescue.
The loss of Angela Nemeth and Beatrice
Sorensen is going to leave a big hole in RCMSAR Station 12 Halfmoon Bay and we will
never forget their passion and dedication to
search and rescue and to Station 12.
Though they joined at different times, Angie
and Beatrice had similar attributes and character traits. Both were adventurers and both
served their community volunteering in many
All the latest news from the
Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue
June 2012
What’s Inside
organizations. Both had motorbikes – not
the little kind, but “hogs” – and they loved to
ride. They both had a passion for being on the
water and loved being a part of RCM-SAR.
For them it was an honour and a privilege to
be part of our team, and it was our privilege
to have them as part of our team. We don’t
get many female applicants and rarely of the
quality and calibre of these two women – they
►
RCM-SAR IN THE NEWS
Honouring Barry Hastings
►
DEDICATION
Station 2’s new Type II
►
MEMBERS PROFILE
RCM-SAR Rebranding Committee
►
WHAT’S NEW
Manager Updates
►
A FINAL WORD
Message from the President
FAREWELL
fit right in. Their hearts and motivation to join
were pure. They both took the training very seriously and they both gave back to the station
tenfold.
Beatrice Sorensen, 51, was born in Ashcroft,
BC. She was the mother of two children, adult
Sara Sorensen and teenaged Zachary Sorensen,
who were the light of her life. She was the
director of finance for the Sunshine Coast
Community Services Society.
Beatrice joined Station 12 only four months
ago, on February 13, 2012. She had already
logged more than 45 total hours, 23 ½ of
which were sea time. She was involved in eight
exercises and two missions, which is very
unusual for such a short period of time but is
a reflection of her passion for RCM-SAR. She
quickly took on a leadership role, organizing
meetings and finding new meeting space for
the burgeoning station. Beatrice was always the
first to volunteer for a training run. Her enthusiasm endeared her to everyone and so she
was included in almost every aspect of Station
12, despite her short time with the station. She
will always be remembered for the energy she
added to the group, and her laughter, which
made everything fun.
Angela (Angie) Nemeth, 43, is survived
by her two adult children, Heather Kendall
and Kerri-Lynn Kendall. Angie had been a
member of Station 12 for close to two years,
joining July 30, 2010. She was in the process
of completing her advanced crew designation,
Beatrice (right) with fellow crewmembers Mark Wenn (left) and Gordon Politeski
FAREWELL
and was scheduled for RHIOT in the 2012-13
season. She had the third-highest sea time in
the station – more than 70 hours in the last
year alone. She never missed an opportunity to
get out on the boat.
Angie was also very active in the station,
helping with on-water training, mid-week study
sessions and taking minutes of meetings. She
also acted as secretary to the Sunshine Coast
Marine Rescue Society, the fundraising arm of
Station 12.
Angie worked at the local radio station,
where she was nicknamed “Skookumchick” by
one of her colleagues. The name was a reflection of her high energy level, her passion for
her involvement in Station 12 and her love of
Sechelt Inlet and the Skookumchuck.
We know we speak for all the members of
Station 12 when we say that we are truly inspired by our memories of Angie and Beatrice.
Their obvious love of what we did and their
total commitment gives us the strength to
continue on, as we know they would want us
to do.
We asked for much and all was given. Our
respect and appreciation must be in line with
their gift.
We would like to thank the Critical Incident
Stress team and RCM-SAR management team
for their tremendous support at this most difficult time. We were also blessed with wonderful
support from the community, Sunshine Coast
Community Services and from the families.
Angie at the helm
CONDOLENCES
It is with profound sadness that I write to express my personal
sympathy to you and to my good friends in your organisation, following the tragic loss of two of our fellow rescuers over
the weekend. I had the sad task of conveying the first news
of this tragedy to many of your international friends and
colleagues at the Mass Rescue Conference in Gothenburg this
week. IMRF Chairman, Michael Vlasto, made the sad announcement to delegates at the conference, who then stood for
a minute in silence as a mark of respect and solidarity.
For me personally, the tragedy was all the more poignant. As
you will remember, I spent a very pleasant week in Sechelt
some years ago, during which I had the honour of visiting
Station 12, in my then role as IMRF’s CEO. Please pass my
most sincere sympathies on to the relatives and colleagues of
our departed friends, who must be distraught by this sad loss.
I can only imagine how difficult it is for you all at this time.
The loss of friends and colleagues is always difficult and it
would be easy to become despondent and discouraged in the
circumstances. Please draw strength from the knowledge that
what you all do is a vital humanitarian task, which has given
life back to many persons in distress and has brought comfort
to their relatives over many years. For the sake of the many
yet to be saved, please find the courage to continue this vital
mission into the future.
With sincere sympathy
Gerry Keeling
CONDOLENCES
Statement by the Honourable Keith
Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Ottawa, Ontario –
“I am deeply saddened by the news that
two dedicated volunteer members of the
Royal Canadian Marine Search and
Rescue team have lost their lives at sea.
“I would like to express my sincere condolences to their families, friends and
crew members. As search and rescue
partners there to protect Canadians on
the water, the Canadian Coast Guard
shares the pain of this tragic loss.
Angie pacing
“The volunteers in the Royal Canadian
Marine Search and Rescue team and
the Coast Guard Auxiliary make up a
crucial part of the marine search and
rescue network in Canada. Their commitment and dedication to saving
lives, with all the dangers associated
with marine search and rescue missions and training, is second to none
and I want to pause to recognize every member of these teams in British
Columbia and Coast Guard Auxiliary
members across the country.”
Beatrice (right) with John Wiseman (left) and Brian Klassen
FLOTSAM & JETSAM
Call for Historian
RCM-SAR is currently looking for a
volunteer historian for the organization. So much has happened in our
organization, particularly over the past
few years, and no formal documentation has been made for future reference.
The historian would determine the
best way to capture the history of the
region and stations (e.g., through stories, photos, etc.) and also determine
how best to keep this information safe.
While the Compass and Dolphin already
provide documentation of many of
our activities, the historian would actually create an electronic library with
detailed information.
If you are interested in this exciting
new position, please send an email to
[email protected].
Bobbie in Deep Bay
RCM-SAR Deputy Boating Safety Manager Cathy Dupuis submitted the following to the
Compass after attending a Bobbie event in May:
Below is photo of myself, Teri Petz (Bobbie operator), Bob Fleming and Hugh Jackson
from Station 59 Deep Bay. The Fanny Bay Enhancement Society had invited us to join
them at the Roswell Creek Hatchery open house called “The River Never Sleeps,” which
is to celebrate the release of thousands of fry and increase environmental awareness to
those who visited the site on May 6.
The event was a huge success for the society as there were more than 450 visitors that
day. Teri and Bob spent the day with Bobbie and were fantastic as operators and had a
great time talking with the kids.
RCM • SAR in the News
Richmond Station honours
long-time member
In early April, Station 10 took possession of
the Spirit of Sooke, a Carswell Titan 300 cabin
vessel from Station 37. RCM-SAR Station
10 and the Richmond Marine Rescue Society
would like to thank RCM-SAR Station 37 and
the Juan De Fuca Marine Rescue Society for
their support and for working with us during
the transition of the sale.
Once Station 10 got the vessel back into
Richmond, it was sent in for a major refit by
Pacific Yacht Systems in Richmond. This included completely upgrading all the electronics
and the addition of some new equipment like
AIS, two E90W Ray Marine screens, a third
VHF radio, one E7D screen and a reverse
image camera. We also had the whole electrical system upgraded including new batteries,
inverter and all-new wiring. We are absolutely
thrilled with the outcome.
On June 16 Station 10 held a naming ceremony for the vessel, and with the support of
the City of Richmond, showed off our new location for the vessel at the Britannia Ship Yard
Compass 7 June 2012
Barry Hastings
in Steveston Harbour. The Mayor, Richmond
Council, MLAs, MPs, RCM-SAR members
and many people from the community were in
attendance. It was a great day. I would like to
thank Brian Hobbs, Rob Hayman and the rest
of the organizing committee for putting on a
great event.
This brings me to the actual name of the
vessel – B.R. Hastings – named after our very
own Barry Hastings. Barry has been a member
of the organization for more than 28 years and
is still going strong. He has been involved in
more than 400 incidents, more than 520 train-
DEDICATIONS
ing exercises and special events and logged
more than 2700 engine hours. Barry has been
a major part of Station 10 and instrumental in
our training program at the station level and
for the Pacific Region. There was no question
that this was the right way to honour a man
who has given so much to our organization
and the community.
Congratulations Barry!
Greg Miller
RCM-SAR Station 10 Richmond
Station leader Robert Hayman
(left) with Barry Hastings
Some of the Steveston crew aboard
the B.R. Hastings
RCM-SAR Station 2 Indian Arm is pleased to announce the arrival of our new Type II vessel and invites everyone to join them at the dedication ceremony being held at 11:45 a.m. on
Sunday, July 15. The event will be hosted by North Vancouver’s 6th Annual Party at the Pier
Family Festival at The Shipyards, located at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue.
Party at the Pier will host numerous marine-themed activities and displays, along with
entertainment at Shipbuilders’ Square and adjacent piers. Station 2 offers sincere thanks to
the Lower Lonsdale Business Association for making this dedication possible, as well as the
numerous donors and supporters in the community.
For information about the event, contact [email protected]
For information about the event visit http://www.cnv.org/?c=3&i=606
Compass 8 June 2012
REBRANDING COMMITTEE
GRAND REBRAND
Developing a new name and brand for a non-profit marine search and
rescue organization doesn’t happen overnight. Thanks to members Rob
Duffus, Steve Jackson, Tim Kendrick, Kevin Robertson, Gordie Robinson,
Randy Strandt and Jason van der Valk and staffers Preet Grewal and Stan
Warlow, this task has been accomplished with enormous success. Here
Steve, Jason, Gordie and Rob share what they took on as members of the
rebranding committee and what to expect from them next.
Compass 9 June 2012
REBRANDING COMMITTEE
of implementation. To be completely
honest, at first I was hesitant to take
on this role as I was just starting to
get involved with this project that had
already been running for quite some
time with some very good leaders
already in the group. After a month or two I
eventually took the chair role.
Steve Jackson
Committee Chair
How did you get involved with the
rebranding committee?
About 15 months ago the rebranding initiative
was becoming a major priority for our
organization. As marketing and promotions
manager I felt it was part of my responsibility
to take a role in the rebranding committee.
This is also something that I took a personal
interest in as well which made the job even
more enjoyable.
What is your role in the rebranding
committee?
I was asked by the board to chair and help
create a new advanced committee which would
take this rebranding plan to the final stages
“
I know some of the work
that is needed to
actually make an idea
become a reality.
What background/expertise do you
bring to the committee?
I run a retail business and have developed
some brands for my company, so I know some
of the work that is needed to actually make
an idea become a reality. I think my biggest
contribution was a vision and the ability to
follow through with it.
What work has the committee done
that makes you most proud?
First, I am very proud of all our members
in the committee; they have all performed
fantastically and have been able to bring
a variety of talents to the table for our
organization. I feel like we are almost family as
Compass 10 June 2012
we have spent so much time together (phone
and email) over the past year. Creating and
finalizing the logo and name were our biggest
challenges and probably the most rewarding
task. This is something that people look at
every day and it was so important to us that we
did the best possible job.
How do you feel the public launch
of the new brand went?
I see that the public is receiving our new name
and look well. I also believe that the members
have done a good job of transitioning (which
I know can be hard sometimes.) There were a
lot of changes that needed to be done behind
the scenes to actually implement our new
brand. The work leading up to the launching
of our new brand made me a little nervous
at times but at the end of the day everything
worked just fine.
What is next for the committee?
This is just the beginning of a new era for us
and there are many tasks to do. We are a fully
operational team that continues to work and
collect ideas and help from the membership.
One of our first new steps is to finish our
clothing ordering program and standards.
Please bear with us until we have this
implemented! Our goal is to make RCM-SAR
clothing easily available at a good price for our
members.
REBRANDING COMMITTEE
everyone was a volunteer and the
amount of time and effort everyone
put in was absolutely amazing
considering most have full-time jobs
doing other things. The dedication to
this project was outstanding.
Jason van der Valk
Graphic Artist/Logo Design
How did you get involved with the
rebranding committee?
I was asked to participate in the rebranding
committee because of my background with
branding and identity design. I am a full-time
graphic designer and have owned my own
business for the last 10 years, allowing me to
play a vital part in helping design the new logo
for RCM-SAR.
What work has the committee done
that makes you most proud?
I could not be more proud of the fact that
“
The amount of time and
effort everyone put in
was absolutely amazing
considering most have
full-time jobs doing
other things.
What is next for the committee?
The biggest key to a new brand is to ensure
we are constantly getting this new brand out
to the public. All stations have to unify with
this brand. The media needs to say RCMSAR when they report stories when we are
involved and we need to actively pursue social
media. We have nearly 50 stations around BC
and if we all dedicated a few moments each
week to pushing this new brand out we’d be
in a great position. We have all the tools to
make it happen and we have all the passionate
volunteers to make it work.
Compass 11 June 2012
Gordie Robinson
Decals and Signage
How did you get involved with the
rebranding committee?
I wanted to be part of a process that involved
our membership and one that would see our
organization step out on our own.
What background do you bring to
the committee?
I have been a boater all of my life, have served
more than five years in Station 27 Nanaimo
and recently completed a two-year term as
station leader.
REBRANDING COMMITTEE
and its achievements, and we designed the
rebranding launch to help promote better understanding of the important role we have in
search and rescue on the west coast.
What work has the committee done
that makes you most proud?
We are a well-rounded committee with a lot of
experience, so we’ve had many good discussions and the ability to come to a consensus
for the betterment of the organization.
It has been amazing seeing the net results of
our rebranding appear in the papers and on
the Internet, as well as seeing our vessels now
showing who we are and what we do so the
public is clear on our identity.
“
Our ultimate aim was
to familiarize the public
with the new brand and
increase fundraising and
recruiting activity.
How do you feel the public launch
of the new brand went?
The launch went very well, although in the
background we had worked so hard and had
many challenges to overcome.
The launch is really only the beginning of
many steps towards the vision created by the
board. Their vision has created the goal of a
unified group of stations working under a new
banner to save lives at sea. To achieve that, a
unifying brand has stations working together
to be safer, better trained and better equipped
than what separate stations could do on their
own.
How did you get involved with the
rebranding committee?
I was approached last summer and invited to
bring my public affairs and media experience
to the committee as it developed the launch of
the new brand.
What is next for the committee?
We still need to do more work in the areas of
clothing and equipment, website expansion for
all stations and updating of SMS to the new
name. The new brand is a work in progress
and will continue to evolve as we grow.
What is your role in the rebranding
committee?
I focus on media relations, helping RCM-SAR
earn media coverage to increase public awareness of the new brand. Surveys showed that
the public knew little about our organization
Rob Duffus
Media and
Public Relations
Compass 12 June 2012
Last fall we developed a comprehensive
marketing and media strategy. We focused our
communications on a few carefully-crafted
key messages, identified our target audiences,
designed a roll-out plan, and created a suite of
materials such as news releases, backgrounders, graphics, photos, video, and web and social
media messages. Our ultimate aim was to
familiarize the public with the new brand and
increase fundraising and recruiting activity. It
was also important to communicate with all
our members, and we developed a presentation
that we took to stations throughout the region
to promote understanding of the rebranding
initiative.
REBRANDING COMMITTEE
What background/expertise to you
bring to the committee?
I’m a public affairs consultant and former
broadcast journalist. I served as communications director for several provincial government ministries, and have developed media
relations strategies for private and non-profit
enterprises. I have volunteered with our organization for nearly 10 years and am a former
coxswain and station leader with Station 35
Victoria.
What work has the committee done
that makes you most proud?
I am very pleased with the positive media coverage that our rebranding launch has received.
We worked hard to create an appealing story
for editors, and spent a lot of time pitching it
to dozens of media outlets. Media turnout for
the launch event was excellent. All the major
BC media were there, including Global TV,
CTV and CBC. Their stories were very positive, and our messaging came through loud
and clear: we are a vital part of the marine
SAR system, we are dedicated professionals,
and that the public can feel good about supporting us.
How do you feel the public launch
of the new brand went?
The launch was very successful thanks
to the many RCM-SAR members who
helped organize the details and make it a
RCM-SAR President Randy Strandt talks to the media at the public launch
significant and enjoyable event for the public,
stakeholders and the media. The impact was
immediate: people are now referring to Royal
Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and not
“Auxiliary,” and there is now much more
awareness about our organization and the role
we play in saving lives on the water.
What is next for the committee?
In terms of media relations, the next steps include sustaining interest in RCM-SAR and enCompass 13 June 2012
couraging stations to develop closer ties with
their local media to promote the great work
of our members and increase fundraising and
recruiting. The committee will look for new
opportunities to create positive media coverage
and keep the new brand in the public eye.
NEW VESSELS AND NEW BUILDERS
RCM-SAR’s Manager of Vessels and Equipment Standards Paul Mottershead
introduces us to the two new manufacturers who will be building the region’s
Type I and Type II vessels.
VESSELS
Over the last couple of years we have been
working on new vessel designs and have completed design work on our RCM-SAR Type I
and Type II vessels. This includes five Type
II vessels having completed construction and
now in service in Stations 1 Howe Sound, 2
Indian Arm, 27 Nanaimo, 39 Port Alberni and
64 Prince Rupert, all of which were completed
under a contract with Titan Boats of Sidney.
and fabrication for the marine industry. They
have a very dedicated team of certified fabricators and apprentices. In addition they are certi-
Update
Type I vessel
This is a nine-metre outboard version
RHIB with an integrated control environment
(“ICE”) manufactured by Progressive Components. Naval architect Ivan Erdevicki designed
the vessel itself along with input from a
committee representing seven of our stations.
The design documents were then submitted
to builders in our region and a final negotiated contract has now been awarded to Liquid
Metal Marine Ltd. of Sidney.
This will start with a series of three vessels
for Stations 5 Crescent Beach, 8 Delta and 29
Ladysmith. Work has already begun on the
first vessel with the others to follow upon final
sea trials and testing of the first vessel.
Liquid Metal Marine is a manufacturing shop
that specializes in custom aluminum welding
es a vessel that meets the required standards
and exceeds the expectations of their customers.
Over the past 11 years they have been
developing a product line to include vessels
from the nine- to 35-foot range as rigid hull
inflatables of the standard mono hull design.
Liquid Metal Marine has built various boats for
both commercial and non-commercial use in
many areas from snorkeling adventure boats to
eco-touring boats. Various government departments such as parks, environment and fisheries
and oceans use their vessels as well as nongovernment organizations such as RCM-SAR.
Liquid Metal Marine is currently in the process
of producing two seven-metre RHIBs for the
RCMP, various hulls for Polaris Inflatables and
they have recently completed and delivered an
8.5-metre Maquinna series workboat for the
Geomatics division of the federal government.
Liquid Metal Marine stands behind its product and superior craftsmanship.
Type II vessel
fied by the Canadian Welding Bureau to CSA
standard W47.2, Certification of Companies
for fusion welding of aluminum.
Using proven construction methods and
quality materials, Liquid Metal Marine producCompass 15 June 2012
This is our enclosed-cabin version vessel
powered by twin diesel engines and jet propulsion. It has proven to be a very capable vessel
in all types of weather and sea conditions.
We have recently negotiated an agreement
to have Kamma & Blake Industries of Port
Alberni build the next series of these vessels.
This will start with the first vessel which is
VESSELS
now underway for Station 37 Sooke.
Kamma & Blake Industries is locally owned
and operated by Paul and Diane Blake. Paul
has been in the boat manufacturing and marine
repair industry for more than 30 years. Kamma
& Blake was founded in 1989 and has specialized in aluminum boat fabrication and marine
repairs.
Their 4,100 square-foot fabrication shop is
located at the Harbour Quay on the waterfront
in Port Alberni. At present Kamma & Blake
Industries employs up to 10 highly qualified
employees involved in all aspects of aluminum
and steel boat fabrication and repair. All of
their welding/fabricating personnel are Canadian Welding Bureau tested and certified to
CSA Standard 47.2 in the fusion of aluminum.
Kamma & Blake’s shop can accommodate
boats up to 50 feet in length. They offer complete design and fabrication services of new
custom boats and they have a full-time draftsman on staff, with outside naval architects and
engineers.
Throughout their years of operation Kamma
& Blake Industries has built a wide range of
vessels from a 40-foot hydrographic catamaran
to twenty-two 24-foot military bridge erection
boats. Some recent noted projects include the
initial construction then refit of the Port Alberni Port Authority’s harbour patrol boat and
new construction of a mobile water supply
craft for North Westside Fire Rescue on Lake
Okanagan.
RCM-SAR looks forward to working with
both Liquid Metal Marine and Kamma &
Blake Industries on these exciting projects over
the next couple of years.
Paul Mottershead
Manager of Vessels and Equipment Standards
RCM-SAR
Compass 16 June 2012
BOATING SAFETY UPDATE
Shuswap’s first missions
Two days on the job, two successful medical
evacuations on Shuswap Lake. The new RCMSAR service stationed at Sicamous started off
on a positive note on the May long weekend, a
traditionally busy time on Shuswap Lake. Their
vessel was officially in service on the Friday
before the long weekend.
B.C. Ambulance Service has long wanted a
better way to get people off Shuswap Lake,
whether they are boaters injured in skiing accidents or cabin owners in remote areas not
accessible by road. In the past BC Ambulance
Service has had to rely on borrowing houseboats, not something that can be used in a
hurry, which led to civic leaders in the community talking and organizing.
Earlier this year a 10-metre RCM-SAR craft
was trailered up from North Vancouver to be
used for service on Shuswap and Mara lakes.
Over the next months, in the words of leader
and former Sicamous councillor Jerry Silva, it
was “train, train, train.”
In a similar spirit to volunteer firefighters,
about 25 selfless people have signed up with
RCM-SAR to take the necessary rescue and
medical training. That resulted in two evacuations of houseboaters on the Saturday of
the Victoria Day long weekend: one with a
deep laceration and another with a dislocated
shoulder. The sight of the vessel was doubtless
a welcome one for these injured people, their
family and friends.
Station 106 Shuswap’s
new vessel journeyed
from North Vancouver
to Shuswap at the end
of April, and is now
in service on Shuswap
Lake.
The Sicamous-based craft will service the
entire Shuswap Lake system, including Mara
Lake (time delays and the small size of Little
Shuswap Lake mean it’s unlikely to be of use
there). It’s a great start for the service as well
as an evolution for the Shuswap.
Excerpted from the Kamloops Daily News
A new cover was recently donated and installed
at Station 51 Port McNeill’s Kids Don’t Float
board.
Compass 17 June 2012
FINAL WORD
All members, I write this to you shortly after the service for our fallen
members, Angie Nemeth and Beatrice Sorensen. While we still carry
heavy hearts, I can say I feel a renewed energy and commitment from
your board, management and members to carry forward on our mission. The impact has been significant and is not yet fully understood
but we can also start to see now how this tragedy has also pulled us
together in unity, support and friendship.
For those of you who were unable to attend the service, I can relay
that we had a very significant turnout of our membership but also
attendance from hundreds of other first responders including fire,
police, ambulance, Coast Guard, and other agencies from the Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada and the United States. In addition, we were
honoured to have many members of Angie and Beatrice’s families in
attendance as well as a large number of people from the community.
It was truly a fitting memorial.
I know each and every one of us is anxious to hear of the details
and determine what happened, and at this time, all I can ask is that
you have patience as the investigations continue. The Transportation
Safety Board is conducting an investigation and we will work with
them as we conduct our own internal review. I can say that the crew
and station have been absolutely incredible in these trying circumstances and stated from day one that they are absolutely committed
to helping us determine what happened and identify any causes or
contributing factors. We are all very keen to have an open and fulsome review to ensure we identify anything that we could do differently in the future. The safe return of our crews has and always will be
paramount to this organization and one of the best honours we can
provide Beatrice and Angie is to learn from this.
I believe there are two types of people and organizations in the
world. One wishes to downplay accidents or failures and carry on as
always, not really learning and eventually fading away. The other organization continually challenges all actions and diligently examines each
adversity, reports to all, and is unashamed to circulate lessons learned.
This latter organization is where we want to be. These organizations
are the best, most successful and long lived. We know from our experience with search and rescue partners around the world that the best
of the best live by this standard.
This tragedy has also already led to some of the most amazing stories of support, courage and resilience. I really need to acknowledge
so many people that it would be an entire letter on its own but there
are some people you need to know about.
John Wiseman, station leader for Station 12, and his wife Tracy have
been the most outstanding pillars of strength, support and compassion for the families, station crew and the region. There are not
enough words or high enough praise I could offer to explain their
service but they are the best example of what makes this organization
so strong.
The surviving crew of this tragedy are two of the strongest, bravest and kindest gentleman I have had the pleasure to meet. They have
Compass 18 June 2012
FINAL WORD
names – my apologies. Each of these people/organizations have contributed time, assistance and support that have helped more than they
know or will acknowledge.
Photo: Justin Samson
gone through the worst nightmare that any of us could imagine and
while I know they suffer still, they have been so amazingly compassionate and caring toward the families who lost their loved ones in a
demonstration of such courage despite their own heartache. I would
ask that you keep them in your thoughts as they recover.
Station 12 is the ultimate example of strength in the face of adversity. They are a station that is hurting and mourning yet they still turn
their attention to helping others. They have been focused entirely on
the families and their fellow crew through this entire tragedy and are
the kind of people that make you proud to belong to this organization. They are keen to get back into service and resume saving lives.
Some notable people and groups who have helped us:
RCM-SAR: Bruce Falkins, Jim Lee, Cheryl Caldwell, Preet Grewal,
Katie Thornton, Rob Grant, Paul Mottershead, Gordie Robinson,
Greg Miller, Stan Warlow, Rick Gonder, Rob Duffus, Steve Jackson,
Jason van der Valk, Kevin Robertson, Scott Sutherland, Timothy Kendrick, Stations 61, 14, 27, 2 and 1 (and others I know).
From outside: Bill Elsner (Sunshine Coast Emergency Program),
Sgt. Mike McCarthy (RCMP), Staff Sgt. Major Bob Underhill (RCMP),
Chaplain Bruce Rushton and Ron Kroeker (National SAR Secretariat).
Coast Guard staff: CIS debrief teams as well as Jody Thomas, Vija
Poruks, Susan Steele, David Heap and Duke Snider.
Organizations: Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP, BC Ambulance Service, Sunshine Coast Emergency Program, local fire stations, International Maritime Rescue Federation, CCGA National, CCGA Regions,
National SAR Secretariat and the Department of National Defense
(SAR).
This was a long list and the worst thing is I know I have missed
I thought it might be appropriate to share with you excerpts from
my words at the service:
Angie Nemeth and Beatrice Sorensen. Remember these names. We
are here to honour and celebrate the lives of these two women.
We heard from their family and received a small insight into who
they were and perhaps we realized they were just like each of us in
some small way. They had families, friends and jobs. They had concerns, worries and problems like the rest of us. You might say they
were ordinary, everyday women, just living their lives.
I would like to suggest though that they were not ordinary at all.
You see, ordinary people do not give up their time to assist complete
strangers. Ordinary people do not give up evenings and weekends so
Compass 19 June 2012
FINAL WORD
“
Photo: Justin Samson
they can train and be ready to help others.
We appreciate the overwhelming support of
Ordinary people do not put themselves in
the many first responders who are here today
We will not forget Angie
harm’s way so that others may live. In a room
and many more who shared condolences
full of emergency responders, family, and
from around the world. Whether you are paid
Nemeth or Beatrice
concerned citizens, it may seem like a normal
or unpaid, in a big city or small town, whether
Sorensen. Selfless,
thing but it is not.
you help people from the ground, air or
unpretentious
and
Heroes. Rescuers hate the title; they shun it,
water, you are here today because you share
pass credit to others, or say, I was just doing
a common mission and bond. You probably
community minded.
my job. A hero is ‘one who shows great courdidn’t know Angie or Beatrice but you know
age and is admired for their achievements and
they were women who believed in the prinnoble qualities’. Heroism isn’t something you
ciple that you give more than you get. People
just put on once. It isn’t just a single act of bravery! It is the repeated
like them believe it is a privilege to serve. They were healthy, capable
and conscious acts of service for your fellow man while taking on
and in a position to help so they did. Not for reward or honors but
risk of harm to oneself with little or no reward that makes someone
because that is what you do. If you represent an emergency or public
a hero. These are the people in our community who keep us safe but
service organization, you should be proud that you serve as Beatrice
when asked, will downplay any contribution they make as being insigand Angie served.
nificant. That was Angie and Beatrice. They are heroes.
If you are from this community, you can also be proud that you
are part of such a great place that supports their local heroes, a place
that seems to nurture service, and a place that Angie and Beatrice
called home. The amount of support that was thrust upon us from
this relatively small population in the last two weeks is beyond what I
could share with you in a short time. This community has risen to the
occasion to honour these women and you do so again today.
If you are from the family, you are already proud because you already knew what kind of women they were.
As I reflected about this tragedy, it occurred to me that while the
media and world were preoccupied with horrible violence and savage events, these two women were out making the world a better
place. They could have slept in on Sunday or relaxed in front of the
TV. They could have gone for a walk, worked, or hung out with a
friend but instead they decided they would train so that when they
were needed, they would be ready. They knew as we each know that
there is a price for service. It may mean less pay (or no pay). The price
Compass 20 June 2012
FINAL WORD
might be calls away during holidays or birthdays. It may be long hours,
thankless jobs or late nights. In the worst case, it can be the ultimate
price you pay as Beatrice and Angie have paid for their service.
We will not forget Angie Nemeth or Beatrice Sorensen. Selfless, unpretentious and community minded. Time may heal our broken hearts
and ease our pain but we will not forget. Their names and memory
will carry on. As new crews come, we will tell them about two brave
women who showed what it meant to have courage. We will remind
them that while the water can be a dangerous place, Beatrice and
Angie would want us to carry on. While today we mourn, tomorrow
we will carry on in their honour. Because of them, we will be better,
stronger and even more committed to this mission. Their names we
will honor and cherish for generations.
It is difficult to overcome the grief and sadness but from what I
know of these women, I suspect that they would want us to celebrate
and feel joy knowing the impact they have had.
Celebrate what we have learned from them.
Celebrate today because you had the chance to know them and be
part of their life.
Celebrate today because they impacted and helped so many people.
The world is a better place because they were here.
When someone leaves us, we are left with grief and heartache but
we also get a chance to dedicate a small amount of our life to reflect
upon that person and their impact. Some people leave legacies of
money, art or scientific discovery but these women left a rich legacy
that cannot be measured in dollars or accolades.
I want to leave you with a thought.
Serve others:
Life will go on, tomorrow the sun will rise and your lives may not
change significantly but if you find yourself thinking of these women,
remember that they found happiness in serving others.
If you want to be happy and honour them, help someone in need. I
guarantee it will put a smile on your face and theirs.
If I can close with a poem that reminds us that we have not really
lost these women:
When I must leave you
For a little while-
Please do not grieve
And shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you
Through the years,
But start out bravely
With a gallant smile;
And for my sake
And for my name
Live on and do
All things the same,
Compass 21 June 2012
Feed not your loneliness
On empty days,
But fill each waking hour
In useful ways,
Reach out your hand
In comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you
And hold you near;
And never, never
Be afraid to die
For I am waiting for you
in the sky!