Elkford Search and Rescue volunteers are now safer and more set up thanks to a generous donation from the Elkford Lion Club of an Oceanid Water Rescue Craft. This rescue boat is one of the safest, most durable and most versatile water rescue boats available and will provide SAR members with a valuable tool for rescues as well as a priceless piece of safety equipment. The cost of the raft was over $5400 and no expense was spared as the Lions Club also purchased all of the necessary hardware to go along with the raft. “We are really thankful to the Lions Club for this donation,” says SAR Manager Marianne Stone. “We have been in rescue situations recently where having the raft would have been very beneficial and useful. The raft is so versatile, we can use it as a stretcher to tow behind a snowmobile, load people right from the water into the boat without lifting them, transition easily from white water to ice and much more,” says Stone. “It’s great to know we can move through the water to a rescue now even quicker and more safely,” she says.
Howard Tomich, Elkford Lions Club President, expresses his appreciation for local SAR volunteers and the job that they do. “We were really pleased to present them with this raft. Creston SAR had one of their members drown, and we want to prevent that happening to one of our members. Everyone is very dedicated to the job that they do and safety is the top priority,” says Tomich. “Really, doing things like this is just what the Lions Club does. We give back to the community,” he says.
The Search and Rescue team are also grateful for generous donations of materials and time from local businesses Garret Ready Mix and BPR who repaired the cement in their building and sealed the doors.
