Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 61 in Pender Harbour remains operational but is asking that boaters think twice about non-essential trips.
“As the weather gets nicer and the days longer, the temptation will be great to head out on the water. We would respectfully ask you to remember that, as a general rule, any travel at this time, marine as otherwise, should be restricted to what is necessary and essential,” said crewmember Diana Torrens on behalf of the station.
If people do venture out, she said, they are being asked to follow marine safety precautions, such as wearing a personal flotation device, leaving a trip plan, complying with collision regulations and ensuring all mandatory safety and rescue equipment is on board and functioning properly.
As with Station 61, Station 12 in Halfmoon Bay is also responding to calls. Both stations have personal protective equipment. As required by the Canadian Coast Guard and RCMSAR headquarters, in-classroom and on-the-water training have been suspended.
The Gibsons station, however, remains temporarily stood down, in part because some of its volunteers are essential-service workers.
