The Halfmoon Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary's new search and rescue boat has finally arrived, after three years of community fundraising. Until last week, Pacific Unit 12 was without a rescue boat because, in early July, the boat it had borrowed from Victoria suffered engine failure.
"We still need about $16,000 to cover the cost of the vessel and are working hard to raise the remaining funds," Scott Baker, spokesman for the unit, said in a press release. "We have taken delivery of the vessel under short-term financing from Zodiac, but given the current state of our existing vessel, we had to get it into service as soon as possible."
The new $150,000 Zodiac Hurricane 753, with its up-to-date electronic and navigation equipment, will seat five people. It will easily reach 40 knots, which is the top speed a Coast Guard vessel is allowed to travel, Baker said in an interview this week.
Three Coast Guard members brought the boat to the Coast Aug. 16 from Delta through the Fraser River. The unit then held a ceremony and displayed the boat last Saturday at Cooper's Green Park.
Coast Guard members have been volunteering their time over the past three years to raise money from businesses, groups and individuals. The combined efforts of both the volunteers and the community allowed the boat to finally reach its destination. While the unit was without a vessel, Barker said coverage was available from Coast Guard units in the surrounding area, Gibsons, Pender Harbour, French Creek, Powell River and Nanaimo. Pender Harbour helped out with minor searches, but its vessel can reach only 14 knots, he added. Fortunately, the Halfmoon Bay area did not have any serious marine incidents this summer.
"We've been very, very lucky because it's our busiest time of year," Baker said.
The Halfmoon Bay unit is still accepting donations to cover the remainder of the boat's cost.
