History
Volunteers have been an integral part of marine rescue response services along theOperations
More than 950 volunteers operate 31 rescue stations on the west coast of British Columbia and in the inland waters of the Shuswap in BC's interior. Collectively they respond to an average of 450 - 500 missions per year, or about a third of all marine emergencies in B.C. A small paid staff at the RCMSAR Headquarters and Training Centre in East Sooke near Victoria supports operations, training and volunteer members. The training centre features a classroom, marine simulator, and student housing. RCMSAR is reimbursed for missions and on-water training from the Canadian Coast Guard through a Contribution Agreement in support of the Coast Guard's marine search and rescue mandate. Funding is also provided by the Province of British Columbia through Community Gaming Grants for vessels and equipment. RCMSAR also depends on donations from individuals, corporations, and community and private foundations. In 2017, RCMSAR signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of British Columbia to allow local authorities and provincial agencies to request assistance from RCMSAR directly in times of emergency specifically related to their jurisdictions. Marine search and rescue in federal waters remains RCMSAR's core operation and primary support function. In 2017, RCMSAR also signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a relationship with the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group for the purpose of training and operational collaboration.Resources
Equipment
RCMSAR is equipped with a variety of vessels ranging from rigid hull inflatables to large enclosed-cabin waterjet-powered boats. RCMSAR also operates a training simulator at their East Sooke Training Centre, featuring a full-scale enclosed cabin vessel, large screen, digital projectors and sound. The simulator mirrors RCMSAR's "Brewin" vessel used for on-water training.Vessels
Type 1 Fast Rescue Craft
Design: Rigid Hull Inflatable Length: 9 metres Power: Twin Yamaha 250 hp Outboard Motors Range: 250 nautical miles Speed: 40+ knots Crew Complement: 4 Features: * Shockwave Integrated Controlled Environment (ICE) * Self Righting * Electronic Navigation Instruments * Two Marine VHF radios * Searchlights * Night Vision (FLIR) * First Aid Equipment * Towing EquipmentType 2 Fast Rescue Craft
Design: Enclosed cabin Rigid Hull Inflatable Length: 11.12 metres Power: Twin Diesel Engines and Water Jets (870 hp) Range: 250-300 nautical miles Speed: 39 knots Crew Complement: 5 Features: * Enclosed cabin for longer, more complex missions * Self-righting * Electronic navigation instruments * Three marine VHF radios * Radio Direction Finders * Searchlights * Night vision (FLIR) * First aid equipment * Towing equipmentRigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBS)
Various designs are used such as the Zodiac 733 or the Titan 249.Southern Region
* Station 1 - West Vancouver * Station 2 - North Vancouver * Station 4 - Squamish * Station 5 - Crescent Beach * Station 8 - Delta * Station 10 - Richmond * Station 12 - Halfmoon Bay * Station 14 - Gibsons * Station 61 - Pender Harbour * Station 106 - ShuswapCentral Region
* Station 20 - Salish Sea (Pender Island) * Station 25 - Gulf Islands * Station 27 - Nanaimo * Station 29 - Ladysmith * Station 31 - Brentwood Bay * Station 33 - Oak Bay * Station 34 - Mill Bay * Station 35 - Victoria * Station 36 - Saanich * Station 37 - Sooke * Station 38 - Ucluelet * Station 39 - Port Alberni * Station 43 - Port Alice * Station 59 - Deep Bay * Station 60 - ComoxNorthern Region
* Station 45 - Masset * Station 63 - Kitimat * Station 64 - Prince Rupert * Station 65 - Lax Kwa´laams * Station 70 - Hartley BaySAR Prevention
* Station 103 - VancouverSee also
*References
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