Part of Team SAR (celebrating 43 years of CLI SAR service 1981-2024)
It is with a very heavy heart that we all learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Many of us have our own memories of a Queen who taught us all the meaning of duty.
Flags on our lifeboats will remain at half mast until colours the day after the funeral.
“May she rest in peace”
Official portraits of the Queen may be obtained from: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-portraits/order-download-portraits.html
Delta Lifeboat sailed on 01 Sep 2022 to participate in the Victoria Classic boat Festival. En route, the lifeboat was tasked to join the search for a person lost overboard south of Fulford Harbour. DELTA L/B was tasked to conduct a shoreline search of the harbour. An hour later an unconscious male was located by a coastguard lifeboat off Portland Island and DELTA L/B was stood down. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive.
Continuing on for Victoria DELTA L/B ran into zero visibility fog. Lookouts were doubled and both radars were closely monitored. Several close targets were plotted and it was noted that no fog horns were heard from any opposing vessels.
After navigating through Baynes Channel a radio call from the converted fishing vessel ‘Contenda’ was received requesting a tow into Victoria. DELTA L/B returned to Cadboro Point and took the vessel in tow securing her in Victoria.
During the festival DELTA L/B served as the medical guard ship, working closely with volunteer members of St. John Ambulance who made a generous donation of an oxygen kit to the CLI. A few minor medical incidents were handled with John Horton assisting a lady with a badly scalded hand.
Following the festival, DELTA L/B slipped at 0600 on Monday for transit back to Ladner. While closing Zero Rock, lookouts reported sighting an abandoned skiff. Following an assessment that concluded no person was missing; the skiff was towed to Canoe Cove and secured. The transit to Ladner was conducted with no further incidents.
While in Victoria a reception was held on Saturday evening aboard DELTA L/B. Approximately 40 guests enjoyed friendship and camaraderie. Many Naval friends also joined us and Commodore David Mazur lowered the ensign during the Sunset Ceremony which was sounded by John More on the Bugle. A moment enjoyed by all. It is also noted that one of the invited guests who could not attend made a generous financial donation to the CLI.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee was honoured by the Delta Lifeboat. The vessel lay dressed overall in Ladner harbour. It must be remembered the Royals have long been strong supporters of lifeboat services in many parts of the commonwealth. CLI hosted the Duke of Kent (then president of the RNLI) in 2000 for the rededication of the Roberts Bank Lifeboat.
Both FRASER and DELTA Lifeboats conducted safety patrols over the long weekend from 20-23 May 2022. As this was the first long weekend of the boating season we expected it to be fairly busy.
Lots of commercial traffic was observed on 20 and 21 May, with kayakers and very few pleasure boaters out.
On 23 May the Delta Lifeboat responded to a PAN PAN call from a pleasure craft that ran out of fuel off buoy S6 in the Fraser River. It was determined a tow was required to the fuel dock in Steveston as commercial assistance was refused.
Overall, it was a fairly quiet long weekend and we were happy to render assistance where required.
The CLI participated in the National Day of Mourning on Apr 28 at the Fisherman’s Memorial, located in Garry Point Park. This memorial remembers those who used Steveston as their base and passed away pursuing their fishing careers.
Bob McIlwaine laid a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the CLI. Delta Lifeboat crews also laid a wreath on the Fraser River from the vessel while anchored south of the memorial. RCM-SAR was also present.