The CLI conducted 2 days of patrols as follows:
On Friday 29 Jun 2019 the Fraser Lifeboat conducted a safety patrol in the lower Fraser River. The patrol consisted of departing Steveston for Captain’s Cove Marina near Ladner, where we investigated a large boat drifting west of Ladner Reach, they indicated they were ok. A check of the marina up to Deas Slough bridge was conducted, from there we sailed to what we call ‘Gilligan’s Island’, but there were no campers at all which is unusual for this time of year.
From there we sailed up Sea Reach to Sandheads, and anchored east of shipping lanes to maintain a safety and radio watch and save some fuel. There were lots of pleasure boats heading out but none requiring our attention. On our return to Steveston, we checked a sailboat at anchor near Steveston Bend; however, they indicated they were ok and were outside the shipping lane.
Monday 01 Jul 2019 was Canada day, thereby creating a long weekend with many recreational boaters able to enjoy wonderful weather. The Delta Lifeboat ran a safety patrol in the lower Fraser River to monitor vessels returning to the river on Canada Day. With a crew of seven, she slipped from Ladner at 1000 returning at 1700. Unlike some past holidays, there were, fortunately, no incidents in our area of operation. We did monitor a serious situation off of the mouth of the North Arm where a vessel with 18 people on board was aground. It was resolved by the hovercraft as all of the other vessels would also have grounded.
Delta L/B was able to spend several hours at anchor off Sandheads to save fuel while remaining immediately available – monitoring radios and maintaining a full radio watch and lookout on all traffic. Navigation and RHIB training continued on the return transit to Ladner.
At 2000 Delta L/B again slipped to attend the Canada Day fireworks in Steveston Harbour. We were ready to assist if there was a problem with spectator boats. Again this year everybody behaved well and there were no problems.
The bridge team had to stay on their toes during the return run to Ladner with a good number of small boats running at high speed in the dark.
Delta finally secured at 2400 completing 11 hours of service.