Now in its third year, the RCMSAR awards program has proved a great success, raising awareness of the excellent work done by our volunteers in their local communities, including highlighting innovative new approaches and technologies. those involved in the global maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) community, including highlighting innovative new SAR products and technologies.
RCMSAR hopes to recognize the achievements of individuals and stations who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and dedication to saving lives on the water along BC’s vast coastline.
Nominations are also open for station leaders to recommend their individual members for the chance to take part in the International Maritime Rescue Foundation’s Lifeboat Crew Exchange where crew members from around the world swap places to learn about different equipment and gain experience in new locations.
Lifeboat organizations from Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Estonia, Portugal and Croatia have sent teams to other locations and hosted teams from other countries. In 2019, crew members from lifeboat organisations in Bulgaria and Latvia, and for the very first time Russia and Canada, traveled across Europe to experience active duty with hosting organizations.
Participants rated the week-long exchange as excellent or very good, with the most important benefits being the opportunity to learn new techniques and try out different resources.
Shawn Burchett, Deputy Station Leader with Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Station 2 North Vancouver, spoke for many of the crew members when he said that his biggest takeaway from his experience with the Swedish Sea Rescue Society in September 2019 was the participants shared passion to improve maritime SAR wherever they are in the world, and their excitement and energy which transcends borders and language barriers.
Shawn Burchett, IMRF crew exchange participant in Sweden, 2019
Nominations are open now for another RCMSAR crew member to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity, and for volunteers to be recognized for their achievements. Click here to download the IMRF Crew Exchange Guide, and here to download the RCMSAR Awards Guide.
Important Dates
Deadline for submission of nominations – March 31, 2020
Review Period – April, May 2020
Review by the HR Committee of the Board of Governors – June 17,2020
Review by the Board of Governors – June 27,2020