Search and Rescue volunteers on the Saanich Peninsula have had their newest vessel in the waters of the Salish Sea since last December, but officially launched the Jack Simpson III on Saturday, May 20 in Sidney.
At a special open house at the Port Sidney Marina, dignitaries from the Town of Sidney, District of North Saanich and MLA-elect Adam Olsen, joined volunteers members of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Society from Station 36 (Saanich Peninsula) to pay tribute to the hard work of the volunteers.
The latest vessel is the third named for the founder of the Station - Jack Simpson. It was built by Titan Boats of Sidney, with other components sources from companies on the Saanich Peninsula.
The search and rescue volunteers with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Society are tasked by, and responsible to, the Canadian Coast Guard.
The rescue service is funded by three main sources: a contribution agreement with the Coast Guard that supports missions and on-water training, provincial Gaming Grants for the purchase of vessels and equipment and public donations. People can learn more at www.rcmsar.com.
Close to 30 volunteers work with Station 36 - from people who are up at all hours working to rescue people at sea, to those more behind-the-scenes, working to keep them afloat. Station 36 members cover the coastline around Sidney and North Saanich and as far north as the tip of Salt Spring Island and as far south as James Island - plus anywhere else they are needed in times of emergency.
Saturday’s open house was a way for the local organization to reach out to the community and raise their profile as some of the hardest-working rescuers on the Salish Sea.
