October 2014 Compass - Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Photo: Glen Petersen
Compass
The Magazine of the Royal Canadian
Marine Search and Rescue
October 2014
Crescent Beach Capsize
[email protected]
See page 3 for details
24-hr. Media Line (+1) 778-352-1006
RESCUE ROUNDUPS
RESCUE
RCM-SAR crews capped off a busy
summer with some thrilling multi-agency
rescues and a few double headers.
Station 61 Pender Harbour—August 20
A hiking trip turned into a multi-agency rescue—that included RCM-SAR Station 61 Pender Harbour—after a
summer cabin resident injured herself on a rocky beach on a
remote part of the Sunshine Coast. On August 20, just after
4:30 p.m., the Pender Harbour station received a Mayday call
indicating someone was in medical distress in Green Bay on
Nelson Island.
Coxswain Terry Pollock and crew members Penny Gotto,
Don McLaren and Mark Slack departed base five minutes
later in the station’s dedicated response vessel Iona C, arriving
on scene just before 5:00 p.m. Crew members went ashore
and did a medical assessment of the victim, determining that
she had a compound fracture of the left arm and was going
into slight shock.
Crew members placed a splint and bandage on her arm and
took her vital signs, then reported her condition to Marine
Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Comox, who
advised the crew not to move the patient as RCAF’s 442
Squadron Cormorant helicopter was on their way.
The crew continued to stabilize the patient until the arrival
of the Cormorant at 5:20 p.m. Two search and rescue technicians (SAR techs) were hoisted from the Cormorant into a
Quarry Bay, Nelson Island
nearby clearing and provided further first aid to the patient.
Shortly afterwards, a Coast Guard lifeboat from Powell
River arrived and helped the RCM-SAR Pender Harbour
crew and the SAR techs load the patient into a rescue basket
and move her to a clearing, where she was hoisted into the
helicopter and flown to the airport in Vancouver and transferred to BC Ambulance Services.
At 6:08 p.m., the Pender Harbour crew contacted MCTS
Comox and advised that the patient had been transferred.
They returned to base by 7:00 p.m.
Compass 2 October 2014
Photo: Glen Petersen
RESCUE
Station 5 Crescent Beach—
September 10 & 11
Crescent Beach crew members recently had a busy couple
of days—on September 10 and 11 crews responded to three
separate incidents.
The first incident started at 6:45 p.m. on September 10
when the station responded to an emergency callout for a
man who was ejected from his vessel west of White Rock
Pier. Coxswain Sig Kristensen and crew members Patrick
Grundle and Tim Murphy set out in the station’s relief ves-
Crew members later learned that
the man’s boat had flipped after
hitting a wave, throwing him
into the water.
sel Vigilant I, while Coxswain Andrew Newman and crew
members John DelMonte, Randy Hay, Glenn Petersen and
Ken Sissons departed minutes later in the station’s primary
vessel Vigilant II. Both vessels arrived on scene by 7:10 p.m.
and came alongside an RCMP vessel, which had been out
on patrol and had also responded to the Mayday. The RCMP
crew informed both Station 5 crews that the person in the
water had been picked up by a kayak and was safely ashore, as
was his overturned skiff.
Crew members later learned that the man’s boat had flipped
after hitting a wave, throwing him into the water. He spent
about 30 minutes in the water clinging to the hull of the boat
and attempting to bail it out when he was helped to the shore
by two kayakers. Emergency crews—including
Station 5 vessels, the RCMP vessel, a Canadian Forces helicopter and the Coast Guard
hovercraft Siyay—were called out to the incident after a concerned citizen called 911, but
on arrival at the scene, the crews found the
boater was not in any medical distress. Both
RCM-SAR crews were stood down at 7:20
p.m. and returned to base.
Station 5’s second incident occurred the following afternoon after a parent reported that four teens had become
trapped on a sandbar northwest of the Crescent Beach pier.
Station 5 was tasked to assist and Coxswain Andrew Newman set off with crew member John DelMonte just after 4:00
p.m. They arrived on scene five minutes later and escorted the
teens safely to shore.
Compass 3 October 2014
RESCUE
Incident photos: Mark Winfield
The station’s third mission occurred later that evening
around 8:00 p.m., when crew members out on a training
exercise spotted a disabled vessel two miles south of White
Rock Pier. Coxswain Andrew Newman and crew members
John DelMonte, Robert Wilson and Ryan Woodward came
alongside the vessel and were told by the two people on board
that a line from a crab trap was entangled in the prop of their
26-foot power boat. The vessel was towed to the White Rock
Pier and safely secured by 9:00 p.m.—a satisfying ending to a
very busy couple of days.
Station 25 Gulf Islands—September 7
Crew members from RCM-SAR Station 25 Gulf Islands
had a quick turnaround recently when a second incident
started right at the conclusion of another one.
On September 7, Coxswain Andrew Ross Collins and crew
members Randy Carr, Sam Fitzzaland and Paul Zolob were
tasked to assist a disabled 27-foot Bayliner in Porlier Pass.
The crew arrived on scene at 9:45 a.m. and, after ensuring the
vessel’s passengers were fine, began a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre ( JRCC)-tasked tow of the vessel to Chemainus.
They reached the government dock in Chemainus just after
noon and returned to base on Salt Spring Island at 12:28 p.m.
Exactly 10 minutes later, the station was tasked once again,
this time to attend to a vessel in distress in Sansum Narrows.
Coxswain Ross Collins and crew members Carr and Fitzzaland arrived on scene at 1:00 p.m. and discovered the vessel
was a catamaran with one hull completely submerged. It was
later determined that the vessel had struck a rock on Burial
Islet and ripped off its starboard transom.
None of the vessel’s five passengers were on board; they
had abandoned to a vessel of opportunity and attached a line
between the vessels in an attempt to keep the catamaran from
moving with the incoming tide. The Gulf Islands crew noted
that the line was under tension and that everyone on the vessel of opportunity was in a danger zone because of the potential recoil of a snapped line.
Coxswain Ross Collins contacted JRCC and explained
the situation and potential dangers. At JRCC’s request, the
crew instructed the vessel of opportunity to undo the line to
prevent serious injury. Once this was done, the crew members
Compass 4 October 2014
RESCUE
monitored the scene and checked the passengers for injuries.
They also passed on JRCC’s request that the catamaran’s owners contact commercial assistance, which they proceeded to
do.
At 1:15 p.m., RCM-SAR Station 34 Mill Bay Coxswain
Chris Pasztor and crew members Mark Impett, Nancy Labenek Bronstein and Mark Winfield arrived on scene in their
station’s dedicated response vessel Hayes Responder III. Soon
afterward, Coast Guard vessels Ganges I and Cape Naden
arrived on scene and conducted interviews with the vessel’s
owners. After inspecting the vessel, the Coast Guard crew
concurred with the earlier decision that commercial assistance
would be required.
While waiting for the commercial operator that the catamaran owners had contacted, the Gulf Islands crew stood
off from the scene to ensure passing traffic kept a wide berth,
while two crew members from the Mill Bay crew went aboard
the Cape Naden to assist in securing the stricken vessel. Three
of the catamaran passengers were transferred to Genoa Bay in
the Ganges I while the vessel of opportunity was released and
the Gulf Islands crew stood down.
At 2:15 p.m., the commercial operator arrived. Once the
vessel was assessed by the commercial operator, the Mill Bay
crew was also stood down. The remaining two catamaran
passengers were returned to shore by the Cape Naden and the
incident concluded at 2:45 p.m.
While the vessel obviously did not fare well, the professional efforts of all the crews involved kept everyone safe in a
dangerous situation.
Compass 5 October 2014
FLOTSAM
RESCUE & JETSAM
RCM-SAR Vessel Management
North Island SAREx
T
O
wo new volunteers have joined RCM-SAR’s Management Team
to help with vessel maintenance and procurement. Tyler Cairns,
who has a second class marine engineering license and many
years of experience working on vessels, will oversee vessel maintenance
and help stations develop effective maintenance programs. Alistair
Duncan, a member of Station 1 West Vancouver, will focus on administering new vessel construction, including contracts and funding.
After many years of exemplary service in this portfolio, Paul Mottershead is stepping away to enjoy some free time. For more on Paul, see
page 9, and for more on Alistair, see page 14.
n the weekend of October 25-26, RCM-SAR Head Office is
holding a SAR exercise in Comox for the North Island stations.
Five members from each station in the area, including Ucluelet,
Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Deep Bay, Comox, Port Alice and Port McNeill, have been asked to attend this multi-session training event.
More information about this exciting event will be made available
once all the details have been finalized.
New Committees
R
CM-SAR’s Board of Governors has struck two new committees
to address some of the challenges facing our stations.
Station 27 Nanaimo Coxswain Mike Banning will be heading
up the Regional Taskings Committee, while Regional Board Member
Steve Jackson will be leading the Remote Stations Committee.
Two committees have also been struck at the national level—one
to develop national training guidelines and one to review the existing
national guidelines. Training Operations Director Cheryl Caldwell and
Vice President Greg Miller will represent RCM-SAR on each of these
committees respectively.
Check out future issues of the Compass for updates on these committees.
A number of RCM-SAR stations recently welcomed Erica
Haasnoot, daughter of KNRM Trainer Ton Haasnoot. Erica
is touring Canada with her boyfriend Tom (pictured above on
Station 2 North Vancouver’s vessel).
Many of our members have been trained on jet boat handling
by Ton, so it was great for them to meet some of his family.
Compass 6 October 2014
TRAINING
Sweden to Welcome RCM-SAR Coxswains in Annual Lifeboat Crew Exchange
Two RCM-SAR coxswains will once again travel to Europe to take part in the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s (IMRF’s) annual lifeboat
crew exchange program. This year’s lucky coxswains are Station 27 Nanaimo’s Nicolas Fortin and Station 35 Victoria’s Mark White.
Nicolas and Mark will be traveling to Sweden from September 28 to October 4 to train with the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, a 107-year-old volunteer marine SAR organization that is responsible for 70 per cent of all sea rescues in Sweden and receives no government funding.
This is the second year that RCM-SAR coxswains have participated in this exchange program, which has proven an excellent way for lifeboat
crews to exchange practical experience and best practices. We look forward to hearing all about the trip from Nicolas and Mark!
Nicolas Fortin
Nic Fortin’s fellow station members in Nanaimo nominated
him for this year’s coxswain exchange because of his exceptional commitment to marine search and rescue in many different roles. His Statement of Merit included the following:
In his current role as station leader, Nic has assembled a team
of members that keep Station 27 Nanaimo operating smoothly,
maintaining our high standards for SAR readiness. Nic is also a
highly effective and skilled coxswain who has participated in 135
missions with Station 27, showing consistent dedication to crew
and vessel safety and every mission’s success. Over the last year, Nic
was also actively involved in the very successful refit of one of our
dedicated rescue vessels.
One of Nic’s strengths is his ability to foster an atmosphere
of collaboration and learning for new and existing members.
Whether it is in his past role as our training officer or his current,
continued involvement in the recruiting and training of new
members, Nic has shown time and again that he is a great teacher
and mentor.
• 15-year member of RCM-SAR/CCGA (former
member of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary–
Quebec)
• coxswain, station leader, Pleasure Craft Safety
Check instructor and checker, ROC-M (radio
operator’s certficate) instructor, jet boat trainer
Compass 7 October 2014
TRAINING
Nic Fortin’s involvement with marine search and rescue doesn’t
end with RCM-SAR. Nic was involved with the CCGA Quebec
region as an owner-operator from 1999 until his move to the west
coast in 2009. With the CCGA Quebec, Nic held roles as zone
training officer and prevention zone director for boating safety for
several years.
coxswains to complete the Master Limited 60-ton course, jet
boat certification and SARNav (simulator training). He has
served as station leader, trainer and ARTE member. Over the
years Mark has handled some of the station’s most challenging rescue missions, and we are proud that he is one of our
representatives at this international exchange.
Mark White
Mark’s personal courage and commitment to RCM-SAR are
what convinced the management team to nominate him for
this year’s coxswain exchange. Mark has been a member for
24 years and has logged hundreds of missions at Station 35
Victoria. A few years ago he took a break from active duty, for
good reason: he needed a kidney transplant.
Mark suffered from polycystic kidney disease, an inherited
disorder. Mark continued to volunteer with RCM-SAR as his
condition worsened, and none of his colleagues knew how seriously his health was deteriorating. He was placed on dialysis
and faced a possible eight-year wait for a transplant. When
the disease became life-threatening both his kidneys were
removed in January 2011. However, a month later a donor
stepped forward—Debbie Pemberton, a friend of Mark’s wife,
Anita. Seven months later the transplant operation took place.
It was a success, and Mark is now leading a normal life and
back at the helm of the Tolonen, the Station 35 rescue vessel.
(Mark’s story was told in the Vancouver Sun by reporter Kim
Pemberton, Debbie’s sister.)
Mark was instrumental in acquiring the Tolonen, RCMSAR’s first waterjet-powered vessel. He was one of the first
• 24-year member of RCM-SAR
• coxswain, Advanced Rescue Trainer Evaluator
team member, Pleasure Craft Safety Check
checker
Compass 8 October 2014
Crew Member of the Month: Nic Futter
RCM-SAR Station 25 Gulf Islands Coxswain Nic Futter is October’s Crew Member of the Month. Nic was nominated for this honour by his
fellow station members because of his dedication and commitment to RCM-SAR, including an impressive 100 hours on the water in the last 12
months.
Milestones and Achievements:
• certified first responder
• completed SARNav 1 and 2 simulator training
• 1000 volunteer hours with RCM-SAR
More about Nic:
• works at Slegg Lumber on Salt Spring Island
• World War II history buff
• keen vinyl collector
From Gulf Islands station members:
Nic is one of our most committed members and is involved in many aspects of
our stations’ activities. He currently holds the positions of deputy station leader and
safety officer, and shares training officer duties with Station Leader Per Svendsen.
This translates to many classroom hours each month teaching crew. He knows his
material well and can be relied upon to cite specific parts of the Safety Management System and collision regulations.
Nic also organizes search and rescue exercises with other stations, Canadian
Coast Guard Station Ganges, and Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (ground
SAR). In first aid he is one of the more qualified members of Station 25 with Marine Advanced First Aid and First Responder Level 3.
Thank you Nic for all that you do for RCM-SAR!
Compass 9 October 2014
RESCUE
An
Extraordinary
Member
How Nanaimo member Paul
Mottershead helped shape
RCM-SAR`s world-class vessel
and equipment standards.
In 2010, RCM-SAR began development of a Coast
Guard-requested plan to standardize our vessels and
equipment. Faced with the daunting task of implementing those standards was our then-new volunteer Manager of Vessels and Equipment Paul Mottershead.
Paul had already held a number of positions at the
station level in Nanaimo (station leader, deputy station
leader, trainer, society treasurer) and was part of the
Advanced Rescue Trainer Evaluator (ARTE) team at
the regional level, but the job ahead of him proved to be
a monumental one and Paul delivered on all fronts.
Compass 10 October 2014
PROFILE
After many years of exemplary service
in this portfolio, Paul Mottershead is
stepping away to enjoy some free time.
To recognize Paul’s achievements,
we asked some of his associates at the
station and regional levels to share a few
words on their experiences of working
with Paul. Their responses highlight
all that he has done for our vessels and
equipment program and for RCM-SAR
in general.
RCM-SAR President Jim Lee:
It has been my pleasure to work with Paul over many years. I was fortunate to
have worked with him as a member and coxswain with Station 27, and later to
work with him when he was appointed to the regional management team in the
very difficult portfolio of Manager of Vessels and Equipment.
Paul has certainly proven to be a dedicated member, a gifted trainer and excellent
in his management role. He has provided invaluable service both within his station
and throughout the region.
Paul has certainly proven to be a dedicated member, a
gifted trainer and excellent in his management role.
Compass 11 October 2014
PROFILE
Training Operations Director
Cheryl Caldwell:
Thanks very much Paul for your many
years of exemplary service as the vessels
and equipment manager for RCMSAR. You were the driving force that
brought the Type I and Type II vessels
on line and you ensured that other vessels in our fleet were safe and serviceable.
Regional SAR Operations Manager/Nanaimo Station Coxswain
Bob McCauley:
I met Paul when he joined our station 12 years ago. At the time we really needed
a society treasurer and Paul stepped right into that role.
Since that time Paul has held every position in the station and then moved right
into a regional role where his background and knowledge would be of the most
help to everyone.
Paul continues to donate countless hours to RCM-SAR
and the Nanaimo station.
Paul continues to donate countless
hours to RCM-SAR and the Nanaimo
station, neither of which would be as
far ahead as we are without Paul’s many
contributions.
ARTE Member and Prince Rupert
Station Leader Marko Kessler:
Paul Mottershead is a great person,
coxswain and RCM-SAR member. Paul
was instrumental in bringing our Type
II Falkins-class vessel to completion.
He worked tirelessly with suppliers to
make sure the vessel was built to spec
while keeping costs as low as possible.
Paul went over and above on every task
he was assigned and helped our crews
train and become competent on our
vessel.
Compass 12 October 2014
PROFILE
Nanaimo Station Coxswain Ruth
Sharun:
Paul has such a strong history with
our station. He spent many days working on getting our rescue station built
so that Station 27 would have a place to
call home. He worked tirelessly for our
Type II Falkins-class vessel and there
was no mistaking his sense of pride and
accomplishment at bringing our station
to its next level of SAR readiness.
Many of our members have been fortunate to have spent hours training with
Paul. He shares his love of the water and his experience in SAR with newer members with patience, humour and unrelenting high standards.
Nanaimo Station Coxswain Gordie Robinson:
Paul has always been a strong leader in the position of station leader for Nanaimo
and then vessel and equipment manager for the region.
His baby was the new Falkins-class vessel and he researched and talked to everyone to come up with a great vessel for our region.
He still is a coxswain and ARTE member with RCM-SAR Station 27 Nanaimo
after 12 years.
Compass 13 October 2014
PROFILE
Executive Officer Stan Warlow:
Paul was instrumental in bringing the
Type I and Type II vessels into production. The Type II vessel saw number
eight near completion this month and
there are four Type I vessels complete;
they’re now working out their kinks.
Not only did he set the standards for
vessels, Paul also set equipment standards by establishing suppliers for such
items as outboard motors as well as
inboard motors, electronics and personal
gear. This has been a huge undertaking
and in an organization where everyone
has an interest in all aspects of operations Paul delivered on all fronts.
I think we can all be proud today for
the professionalism that Paul’s portfolio
helped RCM-SAR achieve. Without
his direction and determination we
would be a disjointed bunch. The excellent tools he put in our crews’ hands and
the safety standards he brought about
through his efforts will be a lasting legacy. Thank you Paul for your tremendous
dedication and for being an outstanding
member of RCM-SAR.
The excellent tools he put in our crews’ hands and the
safety standards he brought about through his efforts
will be a lasting legacy.
Compass 14 October 2014
MEMBER PROFILE
BUILDING A BETTER BOAT
RCM-SAR’s newly-appointed Vessel
Construction Manager Alistair Duncan
wants to help stations make the new
vessel acquisition process as painless as
possible.
Can you share some background about yourself?
I was born in Vancouver and raised in White Rock.
Through work, my family and I have lived in Montreal and
Toronto. My career was with Canadian National Railway,
retiring as director intermodal operations in 2008. In addition
to intermodal operating experience I had extensive experience
in marketing, asset management and capital projects such as
terminal expansions, IT projects and acquisition of equipment.
What sort of boating/boating safety experience
do you have?
Little. I was a member of the Lower Mainland Yacht Coop in White Rock before moving to West Vancouver and
enjoy going on sailing trips where the water is warm. A friend
talked me into joining RCM-SAR Station 1 West Vancouver
three years ago and it has been a great learning experience as
well as an opportunity to get on the water.
Compass 15 October 2014
MEMBER PROFILE
What other volunteer work have you been
involved in?
When our sons were younger I was active as a Scout leader
at all levels. The experience gained was that in a volunteer
organization things get done most effectively through logic,
cooperation and using people’s talents in areas in which they
are best suited.
You have recently taken on the role of vessel construction manager
for the region, which will involve administering new vessel
construction, including contracts and funding. What do you hope
to achieve in this position?
A structured approach to vessel acquisition which will give RCM-SAR stations
and societies the biggest bang for their buck. Fundraising is not easy, so it is important that any money raised is spent wisely to attain the maximum benefit. In the
longer term I hope we can shorten the lead time getting a vessel financed, built and
in service, which does come back again to fundraising.
“It is essential to have a long-term vision to work towards, but it is equally
essential to understand the current day-to-day realities.”
What are your thoughts on future directions for RCM-SAR?
Community recognition of RCM-SAR has risen dramatically since May 2012.
This was very noticeable at the boat show earlier this year and when talking with
people on the dock. There is a greater understanding of our need for community
funding to in part support our operations and capital acquisitions.
I am a pragmatist. It is essential to have a long-term vision to work towards, but
it is equally essential to understand the current day-to-day realities and operating
conditions of the 40-plus stations.
Compass 16 October 2014
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
A Trip to the North
RCM-SAR Finance Officer Laura Davis’ recent visit to a number of northern stations is
part of a regional push to provide more support to these remote yet vital resources.
Compass 17 October 2014
My recent trip up north provided me
with further knowledge of just what
our northern stations are up against in
terms of keeping their stations active
and ready to respond to emergencies on
their coastline.
Arriving in Prince Rupert, the weather was surprisingly hot. Station Leader
Marko Kessler and crew took me out
on an evening run to demonstrate the
capabilities of crew and vessel. It certainly gave me a better understanding of
the Falkins-class Type II vessel and the
challenges of navigating waters in the
north. I also interviewed several potential contract bookkeepers in Prince
Rupert who could assist with the bookkeeping duties for these remote stations.
While visiting the Port Simpson
village, I met with several board members of RCM-SAR Station 65 Lax
Kw’alaams and we discussed issues
faced by this station and its very remote
location.
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Kitkatla board members came to
Prince Rupert where we met and
discussed ways to handle paperwork,
including society returns and Gaming
applications for the society.
I also drove to Terrace and met with
Village Administrator Les Clayton
and learned much about the Kincolith
community. This village is very much
encouraged to be a part of RCM-SAR
and Les is working to recruit members
who are currently performing fire rescue
response. Les is deeply interested in
seeing his community involved in the
marine search and rescue component.
With more knowledge now I can
begin to provide assistance that is really
needed in these communities. Overall, it
was a valuable trip in beautiful country.
Save the date! RCM-SAR’s AGM Set for October
The RCM-SAR Annual General Meeting will be held on Vancouver Island this year. All active
members are invited to join the meeting at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo at 10:30 a.m.,
Sunday, October 19. In addition to the election of new board members, the meeting will feature
updates on developments throughout the region and awards for the Top Three Missions of the past
year. Please join us as we discuss our plans for the future and a review our recent accomplishments.
Lunch will be provided.
The AGM is a once-a-year opportunity for all of us to get together to celebrate our achievements
and share ideas. Join your colleagues from around the province and participate in RCM-SAR’s
AGM!
Compass 18 October 2014
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Nanaimo Station Completes Vessel Retrofit
After a great deal of planning and hard work, RCM-SAR
Station 27 Nanaimo recently completed the retrofit of one of
their dedicated response vessels.
The G.B. Meynell is a Titan 249XL and was originally built
for the station in 2003 by Carswell Industries. In 2012 the
station decided the vessel needed an upgrade, so a retrofit
committee was established and current Station Leader Nic
Fortin was appointed project manager. Team members Paul
Mottershead, Greg Norby, Gordie Robinson and Brad Scott
estimated a $190,000 price tag for the retrofit and funds were
raised through BC Gaming, community donations and other
fundraising efforts.
After countless hours of work, the dream of the retrofitted
vessel is now a reality and it is back in service as one of the
station’s SAR platforms.
Photos: Ken Swain
Some highlights of the retrofit include:
• Shockwave ICE2 Delta second generation with five
jockey seats; designed by Professional Components Ltd.
in collaboration with Station 27 members
• Twin Yamaha 225hp with electronic shifter
• Navigation equipment: 2x C90W and 2x i70
• Communications: 2X iCom 604 and David Clark wireless communication system mounted on Gecko helmets
• Rollover capable with manual inflation system
Check out footage of the vessel’s rollover test at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quWHtj3Kj10.
Compass 19 October 2014
BOATING SAFETY
A Look Back at 2014’s Boating Safety Program
As the boating season winds down, a
big thank you goes out to all of our stations, members and supporting societies for their continued support of our
Boating Safety Programs’ activities and
events. The 2014 season included many,
many Pleasure Craft Safety Checks
from stations all around the province.
Thank you to Ken Morisette (Station 25
Gulf Islands) and Garry Brown (Station 60 Comox) for their knowledgeable
instruction to many of our members.
All of our Bobbie the Safety Boats
were very active this year as well, particularly in West Vancouver and surrounding stations. Station 12 Halfmoon Bay
member Ida Koopman took Bobbie and
his boating safety message to her local
YMCA and schools, while Station 27
Nanaimo members Deborah Thomson
and Joanne Swain had a very busy year
visiting schools and holding a number
of special events throughout the summer.
Comox, Deep Bay and Campbell River also had Bobbie out
in their communities a number of times and the crowd attraction never diminished with all the children wanting to talk
to Bobbie! A huge thank you goes to all members for their
continued support of the Bobbie program.
We are fortunate to have installed two Kids Don’t Float
boards in 2014. One is in Telegraph Cove, thanks to Station
Compass 20 October 2014
Campbell River’s Kids
Don’t Float station
BOATING SAFETY
50 Port McNeill’s Bill McCormick and the Port McNeill
Marine Rescue Society. We are just finishing some details
with Station 33 Oak Bay to install the second board at the
Oak Bay Marina; thanks for this go to Kim Bentzon and the
Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society. We also hope to see one soon in
the North Saanich Marina.
RCM-SAR Marketing and Promotions Manager Steve
Jackson was able to secure another donation from Mustang
for the PFDs to match the boards. Thank you Steve!
In 2014 our stations were involved in many parades, dockside and community events. Our Boating Safety Program is
dynamic and our members are out there continually gaining support and recognition for who we are and what we do.
Thank you to each and every member of RCM-SAR!
Cathy Dupuis, Boating Safety
Nanaimo’s Safety Packs for Kids
RCM-SAR Station 27 Nanaimo
members have come up with
a great way to reach out to the
children of boaters who are being
assisted. The station now has small
baggies on both of their vessels,
each containing a pea-less whistle
that can be put on a lifejacket, a
safety card explaining how to call
for help, questions to ask to make
sure their boat is safe and a baggie
to keep a cell phone dry when
they are on the water.
Not only do the packs provide important safety information and tools for kids
out on the water, they help raise awareness of RCM-SAR with potential future
boaters. Great work Nanaimo!
Summer is over but it’s
always lifejacket season!
Learn more about the
International Lifejacket
Wear Principles and
RCM-SAR’s international
safety partners at
www.lifejacketwear.
com.
Lifejacket promotion is a
year-round activity!
Compass 21 October 2014
BOATING SAFETY
A Generous Donation
RCM-SAR Enhances Commitment
to SAR Prevention in North
Okanagan
Over the last several months, RCM-SAR Station 101 Southern Interior’s supporting society has had several internal
discussions on strategy. Specifically, discussions focused on
whether to replace or to overhaul its 25-year-old Boston
Whaler (formerly belonging to RCM-SAR Station 27 Nanaimo).
The boat, a Boston Whaler Guardian 18, has done incredible service over the years, most recently delivering the boating
safety message for the past two years on Okanagan Lake.
The Guardian 18, however, has reached the point of needing a major overhaul to extend its life. The question became
whether to raise the money necessary to do the overhaul (estimated at much higher than the value of the boat itself ) or to
simply make do until a new vessel could be acquired.
Based out of the Vernon Yacht Club, the mission of Station
101 is preventing the need for search and rescue. For a number of years we have taken the safe boating message out onto
the water most weekends, speaking with recreational boaters,
kayakers and paddle boarders. Unlike many coastal communities, most boats on Okanagan Lake are from other areas, are
usually on the lake for one or two weeks, are not docked in a
marina and stay in the water until recovered to head home.
The station has also used the vessel to conduct hundreds of
Pleasure Craft Safety Checks and hand out boxes of safety
materials.
The society’s discussions changed very quickly in late
August of this year when RCM-SAR Executive Officer
Stan Warlow called Station Leader Bob Montguire to ask
Compass 22 October 2014
BOATING SAFETY
if we were ready to replace our 18-foot Boston Whaler. The
replacement boat: another Boston Whaler Guardian, but
this time a 25-foot vessel. The vessel, named Rutherford, was
being donated by Jason McLean, president and CEO of the
McLean Group. The vessel, built to military specifications and
purchased directly from Boston Whaler, was equipped and
had been used for SAR activities when based out of Bowen
Island. Although meticulously maintained, McLean was not
using it and was now looking for a new owner who would use
it to support the boating community at large. Donating to
RCM-SAR was seen as a perfect solution. The station quickly
realized the potential of the Rutherford in expanding the
delivery of its safe boating program, enhancing its ability to
support other regional response partners in their missions. We
enthusiastically said yes.
The Rutherford will arrive in Vernon this fall, with crew orientation beginning almost immediately. This winter the boat
will be prepared for an official handover at the commencement of the 2015 boating season.
Who is Jason McLean?
Jason McLean is president and chief
executive officer of the McLean Group of
Companies, as well as CEO of Vancouver
Film Studios and Chairman of Blackcomb
Aviation. Prior to joining the McLean
Group, he worked as special assistant
in the Office of the Prime Minister of
Canada.
He currently serves as vice chair of the
Vancouver Foundation, and has served
on boards for the Vancouver Police, UBC
and the Vancouver Board of Trade.
RCM-SAR is truly grateful to Jason for his generosity. His
donation of Rutherford to RCM-SAR ensures that the vessel will
continue to serve the boating community.
Photo: Cierra Carlyle
Ciy Young
RCM-SAR Station 101 Southern Interior
Compass 23 October 2014
FINAL WORD
International SAR Community Convenes in Vancouver
Photo: Mark Woodbury
By Randy Strandt, President, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
For what I believe is the first time, the
International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Board of Trustees will be
meeting in Vancouver. As part of this
momentous visit, which is scheduled
for September 21-24, they are working
hard with RCM-SAR and our Coast
Guard partners to host a two-day learning session. This conference will allow
some RCM-SAR coxswains, crew and
management to interact with and learn
from our international colleagues.
To provide some background, RCMSAR is a member of the IMRF and can
certainly attest to the great work this
organization does as well as their deep
commitment to maritime SAR around
the world.
The IMRF provides a link for all maritime rescue services world-wide. It plays a significant role in
sharing knowledge and research, lobbying for safety improvements, advising the International Maritime
Organization on maritime SAR and advising and assisting maritime SAR providers.
They have spearheaded several interesting, cutting-edge projects, including mass rescue protocols and
rescue vessel guidelines, both of which are of particular interest to RCM-SAR.
Every four years, the IMRF hosts a world SAR conference to facilitate sharing best practices, knowledge and learning amongst the various organizations that provide vital marine SAR services in many
maritime nations. Globally, most of these services are provided by volunteer SAR personnel.
RCM-SAR has sent representatives to the last three conferences, and much of our knowledge, our new
programs and even the direction we have adopted and successes we have enjoyed can be traced back to
our involvement with the IMRF.
Think about our training standards, vessel design and construction and standardized equipment requirements. Each one of these initiatives sprang from our involvement with the IMRF over the past 10
years.
Compass 24 October 2014
FINAL WORD
The IMRF has profound insight into
important topics, as shown in their
Mass Rescue Operations Project. The
project’s aims are to provide an international focus on mass rescue at, or by,
sea and a forum for discussion of the
subject.
As an example, when we consider
mass rescue, do we think about mass
evacuation of people from land to
water? Consider that during the 9/11
disaster, more than 500,000 people were
evacuated from Manhattan by boats.
Similarly, in Norway during the tragic
shootings that took place, hundreds of
children were successfully evacuated
from an island to safety.
It could be that our resources are
called on for evacuation after an earthquake or accidents involving ferries,
cruise ships or aircraft. There are a great
many clear reasons for us to be developing mass rescue protocols.
RCM-SAR is very proud of its membership in the IMRF and very proud to
have been asked to be a presenter at the
international convention in Shanghai
two years ago.
This Vancouver-based meeting
presents a great opportunity for RCM-
SAR to learn from and interact with our colleagues from around the world. These include
representatives from the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, China, New Zealand
and Uruguay.
The conference will include presentations on the purpose of the IMRF and its ongoing initiatives,
including rescue boat guidelines, mass rescue, Arctic SAR, SAR volunteers and challenges and best practices.
The IMRF is very keen to interact with RCM-SAR members and other SAR providers in Canada.
For further information, please visit http://www.international-maritime-rescue.org/.
For more on the Mass Rescue Operations Project, please visit:
http://www.international-maritime-rescue.org/index.php/projects/mass-rescue.
Compass 25 October 2014
RESCUE
RCM-SAR CLOTHING ORDERS
There may not be safety in numbers, but there is certainly speed when it comes to ordering
RCM-SAR clothing.
We are still getting the kinks out of our ordering system for hats, shirts, jackets and other
RCM-SAR branded clothing from Adcentives. There have been some considerable delays on
silk-screened items because the manufacturer requires orders of 30 or more in order to process
the request. With that in mind, stations may wish to organize larger orders for their members to
speed up delivery.
Order direct from: http://www.promoplace.com/24480/stores/RCMSAR.
The RCM-SAR office is not directly involved with clothing and gear orders, partly because we
do not have the staff to manage that function but mostly because handling orders could create
audit problems for us as a non-profit organization.
That said, the office does maintain a small inventory of stock for stations that need items urgently, such as for a short-notice public event. Contact Kelsa Sharratt at
[email protected] for assistance.
Compass 26 October 2014
Royal Canadian Marine
Search & Rescue
Day Missions
Night Missions
47
August 2014 Stats
RCM-SAR Stations
34
Vessels
126 = Mission Hours
457 = Exercise Hours
555 = Training Hours
1138 Total Hours
By Day of Week
Monday:
12
Tuesday:
14
Wednesday:
...........
Volunteer Time:
........
........
........
........
........
.....
Members
4
Thursday:
10
Friday:
18
Saturday:
11
Sunday:
13
43
70
1097
Missions
People
Assisted
82
54
..................................................................................................................................................
facebook.com/rcmsar
twitter.com/rcm_sar
www.RCMSAR.com
RESCUE
If you would like to support RCM-SAR, please send the form below and your donation to:
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue
6040 East Sooke Road, Sooke BC V9Z 0Z7
Thank you for helping to save lives on the water!
Compass 27 October 2014