rescue – Page 5 – Canadian Lifeboat Institution

09/12/201925/09/2020

Ladner Carol Ships Support – Dec 2019

Carol Ships 12062019 (5)

Both the Fraser and Delta Lifeboats provided support to the annual Carol Ships parade in Ladner on Dec 06 and 07. Our vessels were decorated but still able to provide rescue functions if required. The Delta Lifeboat embarked a pipe band this year thrilling the locals as they passed.

On Friday, Dec 06, no calls for assistance were received.

On Saturday, Dec 07, as the Delta Lifeboat approached Wellington point we received a radio call saying there was a broken down vessel who was supposed to be taking part in the parade. One of the other fishing vessels had it alongside close to the North shore.

We quickly deployed fenders, got lines ready and came alongside where we were able to hook up lines 2 and 3. As line 1 was being attached we realized the vessel was very close to the shore, so the first tow vessel was able to cast off and start manoeuvring away. We then towed the broken down vessel away from shore to finish securing lines.

With everything secure, the Delta L/B continued to take part in the parade with the vessel alongside tow on the port side and they spent the night tied up alongside the Delta Lifeboat.

12/10/201925/02/2020

Fraser Lifeboat assistance to boater – Oct 2019

On Saturday 12 Oct 2019, our coxswains received a phone call via a third-party source of a vessel requiring assistance and asked if we could help. A small black pleasure-boat was broken down in Ladner Reach. JRCC was advised of the incident. With 2 coxswains onboard, the Fraser Lifeboat headed to the scene and found the vessel with 3 persons all wearing life-jackets and in good spirits. The vessel was anchored.

Our crew determined that they had run out of fuel, so transferred a small amount to them that is used for our pumps. With the weather turning cold and winds predicted to pick up, the boat was able to get started and headed for Captains Cove Marina to fuel up and then would be hauled out at Ferry Road. Fraser Lifeboat headed back to Steveston base and stood down.

02/09/201914/10/2019

Sailboat taking on water – Sep 2019

On 02 Sep 2019 the Fraser Lifeboat was conducting a safety patrol at the mouth of the Fraser River near Sandheads. A distress call was received of a sailboat taking on water near Steveston Harbour. As they made dock, Coast Guard did not task us, but left it to our discretion to check on them. We arrived approx 20 mins later and found them tied to Fisherman’s Wharf and slightly low in the water. The crew deployed our portable salvage pump and extricated a fair amount of water. The source of the leak was not found and the vessel decided to head to Ladner Harbour. Coast Guard Radio was advised of what we had done and the vessels intentions. Fraser Lifeboat stood down and returned to the river for further patrols.

29/08/201925/02/2020

Delta Lifeboat tasking for medical assistance – Aug 2019

While on their way to the Victoria Classic Boat Festival the Delta Lifeboat received a CCG tasking for medical assistance to proceed to a position SE of Porlier Pass, where a suspected heart attack had occurred on a sailboat. We altered course and headed there immediately. While in transit, a call went to a whale-watching vessel to see if there was a doctor on board. Turns out there was, so they were also tasked. The hovercraft was also dispatched. Onshore an ambulance was dispatched from the south end of Galliano, but with no idea how to get to the 60ft sailboat.

We were told to stand down when we were just 2 miles away. The doctor had attended and discovered that the gentleman had sadly passed away, so our services were no longer required. The patient was transferred to the hovercraft and taken to their base. We used the incident to provide us with real-life training.

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17/08/201911/07/2020

Assist DFO – August 2019

Saturday, August 17 – 1045 hours. The Delta Lifeboat had just moored alongside the Fraser Lifeboat when a DFO officer came to us asking for a salvage pump because one of their RHIB’s in their boathouse, adjacent to the Fraser Lifeboat dock, was partly submerged. Crewmembers from both CLI vessels quickly transferred the salvage pump to the boathouse and 20 minutes later the water was pumped out of the RHIB. At this time their bilge pump started working again to pump out the last remaining water. Although both engines were partly flooded after some cleaning and sparkplug replacement both engines fired up. A cause of the flooding was not found.