Author: David Acton

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Assist to Coast Guard – Feb 2022
As we departed Steveston Harbour this morning, Coast Guard Radio asked us to check for a vessel adrift near the harbour entrance. A semi-submerged skiff was located near the Garry Point Park Fisherman’s Memorial. It still had an outboard motor, fuel tanks, and gear on board, with some floating. The vessel was secured to the shore. Coast Guard took an on-scene report from Fraser Lifeboat and then released us.
The CCG Hovercraft Moytel later arrived on the scene to assess for removal and RCM-SAR 7 was assigned to try and pump out later in the day on a lower tide.
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Ladner Carol Ships Support – Dec 2021

The 2021 Ladner Carol Ships was held on Friday, December 10, and Saturday, December 11. Because the Delta Lifeboat is still on the hard, only the Fraser Lifeboat participated.

On Friday the weather forecast was 100% rain and 22 knots winds with gusts to 32 knots. Some carol ships canceled their participation but the Fraser went out there anyway as it was expected that some boats would go out. Together with RCM-SAR, we escorted the carol ships past the float homes to Ladner Harbour.

We were surprised that there were still that many people out to watch the display. On the dock at the end of Elliot street recording artists KickDrive and local vocalists, Brook & Summer performed.

On our way back to Steveston the opportunity was taken to give our new crewmembers a chance to steer and get a feel of the boat during night and windy conditions. Steveston was in the dark due to a power outage but at 10:15 pm the Fraser moored at her berth without any issues after a very successful evening.

The 11th was a slightly less windy evening and many more Carol Ships participated. We welcomed RCM-SAR Unit 8 aboard to enjoy a warm-up coffee and tour.

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Society Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser – Dec 2021

This year’s dinner was organized by Brian Cook and held on 09 Dec 2021 at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. There were 50+ attendees.

Bob McIlwaine’s son played the bagpipes at the start of the dinner and accompanied John and Mary Horton to the lecture where John received the ‘Duke of Kent’ gold medal for all his years of hard work for the CLI. Mary received a bouquet of flowers as thanks for her support of John and the CLI.

A raffle was held and 4 donated prizes were won by some lucky winners. The dinner was excellent and as always it was good to see and hear crewmates and society members in a different environment.

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Remembrance Day – Nov 2021
This Nov 11th the Delta Lifeboat attended Remembrance Day services at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Fraser Lifeboat conducted a brief ceremony near the Garry Point Memorial in Steveston Harbour followed by a showing of the flag. Many of our members have served with various organizations and militaries worldwide, or have families that have done so. We are fortunate to have such a diversified group. Lest We Forget!
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Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade – Sep 2021

On 25 Sep 2021 both Fraser and Delta Lifeboats attended the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade in New Westminster. Both boats headed up early in the morning and anchored at Surrey Fraser Docks area and shared lunch and coffee.

The boats all passed by the New Westminster waterfront as far down as the newly built Westminster Pier Park at the north end. The more agile boats in the parade line took the opportunity to show off and do some spins, close-quarters approaches, and bounding over the wakes of the other vessels. The crowds were small but enthusiastic as people waved to the crews from shore. After a second loop around the lifeboats headed back to their respective stations.

A few observations were made and have been passed to the event organizer. Safety patrols were conducted both ways of the voyage.