Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) Station 60 will start its 2011 recruiting initiative this Saturday at the rescue station at Comox Marina.
Members of the public wishing to volunteer with the CCGA will have a chance to meet current volunteers and learn the rewards and responsibilities of serving with Station 60.
Station 60 of the CCGA responds to marine emergencies in Baynes Sound, Courtenay River Estuary and Northern Georgia Strait. When volunteers are on call, they must meet response standards set by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria.
Training officers and staff help new volunteers get up to speed with personal safety procedures, boating skills and basic rescue tasks. After mastering these basic crew-level standards, volunteers take more comprehensive training and advance to higher levels of crew responsibility.
“Crew safety is our No. 1 priority,” states Cathy Dupuis, station leader for Station 60 CCGA. “We train people not only to look out for their own safety, but for the safety of other members of their crew.”
Crews build a strong camaraderie and Station 60 fosters this team spirit.
“I’ve developed many strong friendships from my involvement with the auxiliary,” says station training officer Gerry Mendria. “I have really enjoyed developing my ‘on water’ skills, and at the same time serving my community.”
Training officers and experienced volunteers will be on hand at the Station 60 headquarters in the Comox municipal marina this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
They will be happy to answer questions from prospective volunteers and to conduct tours of Station 60’s rescue boat, the Bruce Brown II.
For more information, contact David Low at 250-890-3209.
— Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
Station 60