Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary-Pacific, Unit 12, Halfmoon Bay has been fairly busy over the past few months with various call-outs on the water.
On July 15, Unit 12 was tasked to assist in escorting a vessel with two people on board that was having motor trouble in Sabine Channel off Texada Island.
The Ken Moore, with three people on board, was tasked to take over escorting the distressed vessel into Secret Cove.
"The two people on board the escorted boat stated they were OK, but the coxswain required them to don personal flotation devices for safety," said unit media liaison Drew McKee. "The coxswain also put a member of the Ken Moore's crew aboard to assist in communication."
By 6:15 p.m. the vessel was tied up in Secret Cove and the Unit 12 vessel returned to base.
On July 20, Unit 12 was paged to assist a 12-metre sailboat that had hit a log and was taking on water at the north end of Welcome Passage.
The Ken Moore left her boat house at 12:35 p.m. with three crew members aboard and was alongside the vessel in distress at 12:55. The vessel was escorted to Madeira Marina where she was tied up.
On Friday, July 22, Unit 12 was paged and tasked to assist an eight-metre sailboat, dismasted one mile south of Merry Island. The vessel was being assisted by another sailboat, but both boats were finding things were beyond what the second vessel could offer. The Ken Moore assisted the dismasted vessel to the dock in Secret Cove at 7 p.m. and returned to moorings and normal operation.
On July 25 at 6:58 p.m., Unit 12 received a code two from the joint rescue co-ordination centre (JRCC), reporting a person on shore had seen a windsurfer in apparent difficulty in Sargeant Bay. The Ken Moore arrived on the scene 20 minutes later in metre-high seas. The crew of three searched for the windsurfer until advised to stand down by Victoria Coast Guard Radio at 8:19 p.m.
The unknown windsurfer was later located or found to be on shore and not in any further danger.
At 9:50 a.m., on July 27, Unit 12's duty coxswain was advised to contact the JRCC in Victoria.
"Apparently a kayaker who had been camping on a small island in Frenchman's Cove was reported gone for a number of days though his camp was still in place on the island," McKee said. "Unit 12 was tasked to check out the camp and see if there was any sign of the kayaker."
The Ken Moore, with a crew of two, arrived on the scene at 10:40 a.m., sighted the tent and searched the island. The crew reported finding camping gear, food, etc., and signs of a two to three-day absence. The kayaker's identity was established.
"The JRCC advised that they would pass the information to the RCMP. The RCMP then contacted the Auxiliary crew and requested the Ken Moore to convey a member from Secret Cove to the island," McKee said. "At 12:55 the CCGA boat arrived back at the island in Frenchman's Cove with a member of the RCMP aboard. Unit 12 members talked with a number of local boaters and were advised that the kayaker was last seen the previous Thursday paddling towards Powell River. Apparently it was typical for the kayaker to leave his camp for some time and then return."
On Monday, Aug. 1, after spending two and a half hours training, Unit 12 was paged to find a missing 25-year-old male kayaker who had left Square Bay at 4:15 p.m. heading toward Welcome Passage and had not returned.
The Unit commenced a shore search from Secret Cove in the direction of Square Bay, but personnel aboard the Ken Moore talked with a person ashore on Grant Island and a boater anchored in Smuggler Cove to no avail.
On Aug. 6, four members provided support for swimmers participating in the Salish Sea long distance swim. The swim got underway at 8:16 a.m., and the Unit 12 vessel assisted with matters related to this event.
"Shortly after the commencement of the swim the Ken Moore was advised that there were two young children feeling seasick on one of the accompanying vessels," said McKee. "The JRCC was advised and Unit 12 was tasked to return them to shore. Around noon the escort duties were transferred to regular Canadian Coast Guard vessels and the Ken Moore accompanied the first lap escort vessels back to Davis Bay and then returned to Secret Cove and normal operation at 1:07 p.m."
-Submitted
