After about five years of fundraising, members of Gibsons’ Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) Station 14 are now training on a new boat, and they want to thank the community for helping make the purchase possible.
The $385,000 boat is a Falkin Class Type 1 fast response vessel made by Titan specifically for the Coast Guard and it’s bigger, faster and much more comfortable to ride in, thanks to a shock-absorbent crew station.
Members of Station 14 realized their old boat (acquired in 2001) was nearing the end of its life about five years ago, so they started a Float the Boat campaign to raise the money needed for a replacement vessel.
RCM-SAR is a volunteer organization with no government funding, so it took a while to find the funds. Five years, three grants and several fundraisers later, RCM-SAR Station 14 had enough money scraped together.
“We want to thank all the people who have contributed to this new boat,” said media liaison person Theresa Huntly. “It’s been purchased with the support of the local community, local charitable organizations and also through B.C. Community Gaming grants.”
Well over half of the $385,000 raised came from gaming grants – but without the help of the community, the volunteer unit wouldn’t have been able to make its goal.
Member David Croal said he was “overwhelmed” by the great community response to the Float the Boat campaign and to the RCM-SAR unit itself.
“I think people really seem to realize the value of this volunteer response effort,” Huntly said. “Because you never know when you’re going to find yourself on the water in trouble and there may be nobody else around. To know that there’s a crew of volunteers that will be available 365 days a year is very reassuring, and people are really grateful for the efforts the volunteers put in to this work.”
The volunteers are grateful for the support of the community as well, and Station 14 is planning an event to thank everyone and display the new boat on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gibsons Government Wharf.
The event will feature live music, food, refreshments and tours of the new vessel as well as a recruiting table to sign up new volunteers interested in joining RCM-SAR.
Gibsons’ RCM-SAR currently has 22 members who respond to calls day and night on the water in an area stretching from Anvil Island to Sechelt. New members are always welcome and training is provided. Find out more at www.rcmsar14.org
Now that the Gibsons unit has a new boat, it’s seeking a bigger boat shelter to house the 37-foot craft, as well as the unit’s gear. If you can help with financial donations for the purchase of a boathouse or can gift the unit a used boathouse, email [email protected]
Charitable receipts are available upon request.
