Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) has been awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement, presented at a ceremony at Government House in Victoria on October 21.
Each year, the award honours several individuals and one organization that have made outstanding contributions to British Columbia’s maritime community. RCMSAR was recognized for its enduring commitment to saving lives and promoting safety across the province’s waters.
In the past year alone, RCMSAR volunteers set aside work, family, and sleep to conduct more than 450 search and rescue missions along BC’s coastline and in the Shuswap. Their actions resulted in the rescue of 74 people in distress and assistance to nearly 300 others.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement celebrates individuals and organizations that have advanced BC’s maritime interests in areas such as science, technology, business, nautical heritage, and education. It also recognizes Indigenous and traditional practices, environmental stewardship, and diversity across the province’s maritime sectors.
Administered jointly by the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, the award highlights the people and organizations whose work sustains BC’s rich maritime culture and safety.
“This award belongs to every one of our volunteers,” said Bill Riggs, RCMSAR CEO. “Their dedication, skill, and compassion are what make RCMSAR the organization it is today. Every hour spent training, every mission, every life saved — it all reflects the deep commitment our volunteers share in keeping BC’s waters safe.”
With more than 900 volunteers across 31 stations, RCMSAR crews are on call 24/7, ready to respond in some of the most challenging marine environments in Canada. Beyond rescues, they dedicate countless hours to prevention programs, training exercises, and community education — all with one shared goal: to save lives on the water.