Ladysmith’s Coast Guard Auxiliary is one of the busiest units in the region, and it needs a new boat to keep up with the pace.
The Ladysmith and District Marine Society has begun the process to replace the aging vessel currently being used by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Ladysmith Unit 29.
The auxiliary’s current vessel is the second-oldest in the Pacific fleet, explained auxiliary member Nick Epp-Evans.
“Once again, we were the second busiest unit in the Pacific (last year), but our boat is one of the oldest two vessels,” he said. “Just last month, we exhausted our funds to keep the boat seaworthy.”
This vessel has just returned from a necessary $20,000 overhaul, noted Epp-Evans, adding this was the minimum required to keep the boat operational.
“Our boat won’t last much longer,” he said. “It’s a dire need. The life of the boat we have now, well it’s already at the end of it’s life now. We’ve probably only got four or five years of life in it. If we don’t get a new boat, it’s going to be pretty scary for Ladysmith. We need a new boat to keep going.”
Unit 29 requires a minimum of $85,000 to purchase a new boat, and it has starting raising money for the vessel. The unit got a real boost when a local couple with a love for boating who wish to remain anonymous generously offered to match any donation or contribution — whether corporate, collective or individual —up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a new rescue boat.
The new boat was designed by Coast Guard members in this region for maximum efficiency in local waters, and Ladysmith coxswain Owen Popplestone was an integral part of the design team, explained Epp-Evans.
The new boat has many features that will improve the auxiliary’s ability to save lives.
The auxiliary’s current boat cannot fit a stretcher on the floor. With the new boat, the auxiliary would be able to put spinal boards out on the floor of the boat and treat a person with a neck or spinal injury.
“It will definitely assist in saving lives,” said Epp-Evans. “It increases our capabilities when we’re on the water, but it drastically improves our potential as basically a life-saving water ambulance.”
Coast Guard Auxiliary Station 29 Ladysmith provides 24-hour year-round volunteer marine search and rescue services on the Ladysmith waterfront and beyond to help prevent the loss of life or injury.
Last year, Ladysmith was the second busiest unit in the Pacific fleet. Unit 29 has been credited with saving 15 lives in the last calendar year.
“That’s 15 people who would’ve unmistakably not been here today,” said Epp-Evans.
As well, the unit has been credited with assisting many others and directly saving more than $1 million in marine property.
The Auxiliary Coast Guard receives some funding through a provincial gaming grant to assist with fuel, but members must pay for all other costs, including their equipment, boat and training, themselves and through fundraising.
Anyone wishing to help the Auxiliary Coast Guard with the purchase of a new boat can make tax-deductible donations to “New Vessel Account” at the Ladysmith and District Credit Union or mail a donation to the Ladysmith and District Marine Rescue Society at Box 657, Ladysmith B.C., V9G 1AS. There are also donation boxes in businesses downtown and at marinas.
Call 250-668-2993 if you have any questions regarding donations or the auxiliary itself.
