Claudia Culley
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder
The Regional District of Nanaimo Board approved an increase of funding for the Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society (NMRS), which oversees the governance and management of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 27.
This non-profit volunteer-run organization provides 24/7 first responder emergency services to the mid-Island boating community in the Nanaimo region, serving First Nations communities, the general public and the marine industry. They train to maintain and improve their marine skills, like first aid, to respond to water emergencies.
The RDN agreed to increase the NMRS’s annual funding from $22,500 to $33,000 for the next five years, which represents 22 per cent of the organizations operating costs. The society raises the rest of their funding through fundraising efforts.
Since 2021, the RDN has been providing the NMRS with $22,500 annually to support crew training, fuel, vessel and boathouse maintenance, crew gear and medical supplies. Over the past four years, these operating costs have increased, a letter the NMRS wrote to the RDN board reads.
“The Regional District of Nanaimo has been a long-term financial supporter which has been incredibly important for the continued success of our volunteer organization,” the letter reads.
Station 27 has been part of the Nanaimo region’s boating community since the early 1990s. They’ve taken on a total of 1,133 missions with an average response time of 14.85 minutes and assisted 964 mariners with marine assets valued at approximately $30.8 million.
This year alone, they’ve been on 24 missions with an average response time of 15.30 minutes, using marine assets worth about $1.5 million. In 2024, they responded to 20 missions. In Gabriola specifically, the NMRS has and will respond to marine emergencies in the area and has trained the local fire department for onshore rescues.
“So, if Gabriola ever had an emergency, like a wildfire, and it was determined by the volunteer fire department if they need shore rescues to get people off the island, we’d be called in to do that,” said Stephen Morrison, president of the Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society. He added that they’ve also done a few rescues in Dodd Narrows. The society also engages in community events. They’ve provided safety related land and water services to Nanaimo’s Bathtub Race, Silly Boats and the Dragon Boat festival, ensuring participants’ security.
Their Boat Safety Program promotes water safety at these events and boat safety inspections at mid-Island marinas. It also oversees the RCMSAR’s “Kids Don’t Float” program at eight local marinas, which provides free access to personal floatation devices for infants, children and youth.
To learn more about the NMRS, visit https://rcmsar27.ca/
NMRS docked at the Descanso Bay Emergency Wharf on Gabriola Island in June, during an exercise with the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department. Photo courtesy Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society
Recent Comments