Part of Team SAR (celebrating 43 years of CLI SAR service 1981-2024)
On Friday 26 May 2023, John and Pat picked up the Delta RHIB from Polaris Inflatable Boats in Surrey, who replaced the aging leaking tubes and painted the hull. They did a great job and the RHIB looks like new again!
The RHIB is normally kept aboard the DELTA L/B and is used for a variety of purposes. It can also be trailered to other areas if needed, giving us a presence all over the LowerMainland.
As part of the City of Delta’s Emergency Programme, the CLI was asked to assist with a Dyke inspection on 20 Apr 2023. We embarked 5 engineers on the Fraser Lifeboat and then sailed along the float homes to the Westham Island swing bridge, then to the end of Sea Reach, heading upriver to Ladner Reach and into Captains Cove Marina. From there we made several stops for the engineers to take pictures and make notes up to Gunderson Slough. After that, we transited the Annacis Channel back into the main river to Ladner. A very low tide stopped us for a while from being able to enter the harbour, providing an excellent first-hand experience as to why dredging is SO important for these secondary channels and harbours.
On Saturday 15 Apr 2023 the CLI provided its first alongside boating safety check of the year to the Royal City Yacht Club at Imperial Landing in Steveston, BC.
Approximately 12 pleasure boats took part in this fun event, with all of them passing with flying colours. Thanks to Doug M for organizing and for the fantastic food, camaraderie, and generous donation from your group.
Transport Canada also provided the latest Safe Boating Guides which were quickly picked up by the attendees.
On Sunday 02 Apr 2023 the CLI received Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check Training from Transport Canada. Our crews received this refresher training to keep up to date on the latest requirements to perform ramp or alongside pleasure craft safety checks. We were able to train at the Delta Fire Department Hall #4 at Boundary Bay Airport which was a perfect location for those who attended.
During Thurs night training, the Fraser L/B came across 2 vessels near S19 in apparent difficulty. The 44′ ferro cement sailboat Van Kam with one person on board had lost power and was being towed by a small vessel that was having difficulty with the tow. Fraser took over and brought the vessel into Steveston and alerted CG radio. The sailboat had sustained some damage caused by the other vessel, apparently, they struck some pilings. This was also a wonderful opportunity for Ron, our coxswain in training under the watchful eye of senior coxswain David.
The person on the sailboat indicated they didn’t want to call a PAN PAN and were afraid of being charged for rescue. This highlights a common misunderstanding amongst many pleasure boaters. SAR is never charged, and the damage sustained could have been avoided if an earlier response happened.