Author: David Acton

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Canada Day long weekend safety patrols – Jul 2023
Over the July long weekend for Canada Day, both DELTA and FRASER Lifeboats conducted safety patrols over several days. This included the Friday, Steveston Fireworks on Saturday, and a very blustery Monday.
Several maydays were heard, most out of our response areas. DELTA L/B was in process of attending a call on Friday but was stood down.
Patrol days are great experiences for our crews as they get to put into practice what they train so hard for. Crews on FRASER L/B had water over the bow and wheelhouse on Monday as steep waves, winds, and tide were pretty strong in the earlier part of the day. As a former North Sea Lifeboat the vessel handles well and the crews get to understand how it performs.
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Canada Day Fireworks Safety Patrol – Jul 2023

 At 19:00 on 01 Jul 2023, the Delta L/B departed Ladner for Steveston with 11 crewmembers and 5 guests to perform a safety patrol and enjoy the fireworks. A detour was made to give the guests a chance to see the Reaches and Fraser River from a different perspective. The RHIB was launched to demonstrate RHIB handling and sticking to the Delta. 

At approximately 20:45 the Delta L/B anchored outside Steveston harbour and the crew and guests relaxed and socialized waiting for the fireworks to start. The RCMP and RCM-SAR were patrolling the inner harbour but this time there weren’t many boats on the water compared to previous times. At 22:15 the fireworks started and the crew and guests enjoyed it very much. No incidents were encountered and after the fireworks, the Delta L/B retrieved the anchor and headed back to Ladner Harbour where we secured at approximately 23:15. 

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Field Day – Jun 2023
On 24 Jun 2023 the CLI participated in the annual Amateur Radio Field Day exercise. This simulates an emergency where radio equipment is deployed to remote locations, and then stations attempt to work as many contacts as possible over a given period of time.
We worked 20 metre digital using FT8 mode. Our station ran by solar and battery power, using an ICOM IC7300 radio and 2 buddy pole antennas in a reflector configuration. We managed to work 115 stations across North America.
We participate with Delta Amateur Radio Society and we run with one of their members. The event includes a fabulous BBQ too.
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Blessing of the fleet – Jun 2023

On 10 Jun 2023 both Fraser and Delta Lifeboats attended the blessing of the fishing fleet at Granville Island. This annual event involves a service for the fisherman and supporting operations for the upcoming season. After the service, a CLI paddle was presented to the Harbour Authority for their generous donation to our operation. This helps us with fuel costs for fishery patrols and equipment needs.

Entertainment was provided along with a BBQ. The vessels were also available to be toured by the public.

On the way back, both vessels sailed in company back to Steveston, and DELTA L/B carried on to Ladner. Along the way the Royal Canadian Navy practiced pacing with our vessels and we also passed the CCG hovercraft Moytel.

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CLI RNSA Single Handed Race 2023

The 49th annual running of the RNSA Single-Handed Race was held on Saturday 3rd of June and Sunday 4th of June 2023. The weather was perfect with 10-15 knot SE wind on Saturday and 20- 25 NW knots on Sunday. 27 yachts were registered and the ‘Delta L/B’ deployed as the safety / committee boat. With a crew of five plus four Race committee members aboard, Delta L/B set up the start line at Point Grey and the finish line at Snake Island (Nanaimo). Only 1 yacht failed to finish within the time limit. Delta L/B monitored the radios as well as a visual watch throughout the race in case of any accidents. A race dinner was held in the Nanaimo yacht club, enjoyed by all.

The Sunday return race was more of a challenge owing to the stronger winds and 3 yachts retired even before the start, owing to gear failures and one medical situation. Delta L/B again anchored south of the Point Grey bell buoy for the finish. All participants had an exciting return leg with a quartering sea of 4 to 5 feet.

As  Delta L/B was preparing to weigh anchor, a tasking was issued
for Delta L/B to assist a 21-foot power boat low on fuel in 5’ seas not
sure if they could make safe harbour. The position given was off the
North Arm. Delta L/B began to weigh anchor but found it foul of the
bottom. CGD radio was advised. Even though there was a strong flood tide and a five-foot sea running, Delta L/B was worked around 180 degrees with the engine reversing the pull on the anchor! Luckily this worked and the foul anchor was freed. Delta L/B then proceeded to assist the 21’ power boat. Ten minutes later CGD radio advised the position given was wrong and the vessel was off Passage Island. Delta L/B changed course for West Van to then being advised the vessel had made it into Fisherman’s Cove.

Delta L/B proceeded to the WVYC where the race committee and two CLI crewmembers disembarked. Delta L/B returned to Ladner transiting the North Arm to New Westminster and down to Ladner. A good safe deployment by all and excellent training.