FOR MARINE EMERGENCIES PLEASE CONTACT JOINT RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE (JRCC) on VHF Channel 16 or CALL 1-800-567-5111, *16 or #727 or Dial 9-1-1
September 18, 2021 – The annual RCMSAR Volunteer Awards takes place Saturday honouring the outstanding service of the organization’s volunteers and stations as recognized by their peers, the organization’s Board of Governors and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

 

Along the waters of coastal British Columbia and inland waters of the Shuswap, over 900 volunteers from the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue have put the safety of others ahead of personal safety in pursuit of saving lives on the water.

Throughout the pandemic, as much of the world around us slowed down, RCMSAR volunteers were busy meeting increased calls for help as more British Columbians took to the water than in previous years. Through it all, our volunteers remain resilient finding creative and safe ways to conduct training exercises and SAR missions taking all the safety precautions required.

The spirit of volunteerism is an intrinsic part of RCMSAR’s culture and the core of who we are and why we save lives. That’s why each year we recognize the achievements of our colleagues and crewmates who represent countless hours of selfless dedication.

The organization proudly recognizes the following RCMSAR volunteers for their outstanding service:

Volunteer of the Year

  • Nic Futter – Station 25 Gulf Islands

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) Administrative Excellence Medal

  • Brad Grindler – Station 25 Gulf Islands
  • Alistair Duncan – Station 1 West Vancouver
  • Chris Ashurst – Station 45 Masset
  • Jacobus (Jaap) Zwaan – Station 34 Cowichan
  • John Harper – Station 31 Brentwood Bay

CCGA Exemplary Service Medal

  • Chris Gouglas – RCMSAR Board of Governors
  • Ian Grantham – Station 1 West Vancouver

CCGA Leadership Medal

  • Kevin Faw – Station 1 West Vancouver
  • Nic Futter – Station 25 Gulf Islands
  • Tom McKeachie – Station 25 Gulf Islands
  • Don Kerr – Station 60 Comox
  • Roch Massicotte – Station 60 Comox
  • Don Simpson – Station 39 Port Alberni
  • Peter Tabler – Station 39 Port Alberni
  • Ian Waugh – Station 37 Sooke

CEO Commendation

  • Max Erwin – Station 64 Prince Rupert
  • Susie Inkpen – Station 5 Crescent Beach
  • Jason King – Station 1 West Vancouver
  • Geoff Krause – Station 31 Brentwood Bay
  • John McCorquodale – Station 8 Delta
  • Will Schmalz – Station 37 Sooke

Long Service Awards 2021

35 Years of Service

  • Barry Hastings – Station 10 Richmond

30 Years of Service

  • Shawn Burchett – Station 2 North Vancouver
  • Jay Willoughby – Station 2 North Vancouver
  • Bruce Jones – Station 59 Deep Bay
  • Gordon Jones – Station 59 Deep Bay
  • Duncan Peacock – Station 63 Kitimat
  • Ron Robson – Station 10 Richmond

25 Years of Service

  • Reuben Dennis – Station 65 Lax Kw’alaams
  • James Henry – Station 65 Lax Kw’alaams
  • Darrin Tait – Station 65 Lax Kw’alaams
  • Keith Wesley – Station 65 Lax Kw’alaams
  • Mike Michalson – Station 103 Vancouver
  • John Spencer-Nairn – Station 103 Vancouver

New Member Award

  • Scott Harold – Station 5 Crescent Beach
  • Melissa Hayward – Station 25 Gulf Islands

Operational Merit Medal

  • Station 106 Shuswap

Top Mission

  • Station 1 West Vancouver with assistance from Station 4 Squamish: Kayakers in the Water at Porteau Cove
  • Station 10 Richmond: Persons-In-Water, Capsized Tin Boat at Woodward Dam
  • Station 59 Deep Bay: MEDEVAC of Stroke Patient

 

About Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue
The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) is a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization that operates more than 30 marine rescue stations along the coast of British Columbia and in-land waters. With over 900 volunteers, emergency response crews are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week ready to respond to marine emergencies. RCMSAR volunteers also prevent emergencies by providing the public boating safety information, conduct pleasure craft safety checks and provide free access to children’s lifejackets at PFD loaner stations located at many docks and marinas in the communities that they serve through the Kids Don’t Float program. RCMSAR’s mission is “Saving lives on the water”.

Established in 1978 originally under the name the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary – Pacific, RCMSAR is called on to respond to marine emergencies by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in British Columbia through an agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard.

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To arrange an interview with a volunteer at a local RCMSAR in your community, contact:

Jineane Eason
Manager of Fundraising
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue
Emails: funds.media@rcmsar.com
Direct line: 778-352-2016 or 1-800-665-4757 ext. 104
Media line: 1-778-352-1006