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

In Appreciation of our Volunteers

by | Sep 25, 2025 | News

In the last year, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Volunteers set aside work, family and sleep to conduct over 450 search and rescue missions along BC’s coastline and in the Shuswap. Their actions resulted in the rescue of 74 boaters who found themselves in dangerous circumstances, and the assistance of nearly 300 others.

Each year, we honour those who have excelled, and this year, we are proud to announce the recipients of RCMSAR and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Awards.

The spirit and dedication they all bring to saving lives including countless hours of training and preparation to respond is amazing.  This deep committment to our mission of saving lives on the water is shared by all RCMSAR volunteers.  The following RCMSAR volunteers were honoured for their outstanding service:

Volunteer of the Year
Sue Wisely – Station 29 Ladysmith

Volunteer of the Year, New Member
Sieneke Toering – Station 2 North Vancouver

Volunteer of the Year, Supporting Member
John Davis – Station 29 Ladysmith

RCMSAR CEO Commendation
Noah Argao, Station 10 Richmond
Michael Desjarlais, Station 31 Brentwood Bay
Rob Frost, Station 1 West Vancouver
Pat Gau, Station 106 Shuswap
Kristen Gribble, Station 5 Cresent Beach
Kevin Jamieson, Station 29 Ladysmith
Victoria Kalyniuk, Station 31 Brentwood Bay
Dan Messenger, Station 60 Comox

Board of Directors Life Member Award
Per Svendsen, Station 25 Salt Spring Island
Ian Arklie, posthumously, Station 39 Port Alberni

30 Years of Service
Darwin Brooks, Station 65 Lax Kw’alaams

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Awards

CCGA Administrative Excellence Medal
Marek Zhanel, Station 2 North Vancouver

CCGA Exemplary Service Medal
John Johnston, RCMSAR Headquarters
Rob Sutherland, Station 106 Shuswap

CCGA Humanitarian Services Medal
Jack Magnus, Station 10 Richmond

CCGA Leadership Medal
Ford Smith, Station 2 North Vancouver
Aaron Harnden, Station 10 Richmond
Ken Squirrel, Station 25 Salt Spring Island
John Harper, Station 31 Brentwood Bay
Doug Pearce, Station 106 Shuswap

CCGA Long Service Medal – Awards on 20 Years of Service
Brian Cromp, Station 29 Ladysmith
William Parsons, Station 14 Gibsons

Canadian Coast Guard Operational Medal
Richmond Station received the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Operational Merit Award for their superb handling of a rescue mission in March 2024.

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Awards
Crews from three of our stations – Comox, West Vancouver and Cowichan Bay – were recognized by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre for outstanding operations during a rescue mission.