The Shuswap’s Coast Guard Auxiliary is working to expand its presence with the purchase of a new boat that will possibly be stationed in Blind Bay.
The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Shuswap Station 106, located on Shuswap Lake and based in Sicamous, has made application to its headquarters in Sooke, to add a second marine search and rescue vessel for use on the Shuswap and Mara lake systems, says Shuswap Station leader Rob Sutherland.
“HQ approval has been granted, but funds for the purchase are needed as each station funds its own boats,” said Sutherland. “These funds must be found locally through public grants and private donations.”
A vessel suited to the task of marine rescue in the Shuswap has already been located – a 2007 Titan, currently assigned to RCMSAR Station 35 in Victoria.
“The new (to us) boat is expected to cost at least half of the new price of $650,000,” said Sutherland of the vessel he described as being in like-new condition and completely outfitted with all of the latest technology in search and rescue equipment.
Sutherland spoke about the new vessel during the recent helicopter training exercise on Shuswap Lake, attended by local politicians including Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area C director Paul Demenok, who spoke favourably of the potential acquisition, and it being based in his electoral area.
Sutherland explained the Shuswap station is one of the busiest in the province. It became operational in May 2012 and has since received 108 calls for medical assistance, searches and rescues, largely during the region’s busy tourist season.
“We need to reduce travel/response times to the far ends of the lake (1.3 hours from Sicamous), expand our operations to the North Shuswap to include boating safety inspections and accident prevention and promote boating and water safety through our kids program…” said Sutherland. “This can only be done with a second boat and a new Station 106 sub-station, possibly located in the Blind Bay area.”
Sutherland says BC Gaming has agreed to support the boat’s purchase, but requires a downpayment to be raised locally through local government, private businesses and donations to show Station 106 has the support of the Shuswap community.
Donations can be sent to Shuswap Lifeboat Society, C/O Rob Sutherland – RCMSAR 106 Shuswap Station Leader, 1202 Sherlock Rd., Sicamous, B.C. VOE 2V1.
Shuswap Station 106 is operated by volunteers and funded through donations, grants and other fundraising efforts. For more information, contact Sutherland at rsutherland@cablelan.net.
