Dedication, hard work and training make it possible for Squamish to have its own Coast Guard Auxiliary -and it's all from volunteers.
The Squamish Coast Guard Auxiliary crew was founded two years ago, has already expanded to 26 members and is establishing a name for itself as a go-to unit in Howe Sound.
Squamish Emergency Program (SEP) co-ordinator Jim Lang and experienced coast guard auxiliary member Ron Drewry decided to launch the program in 2008, shortly after Drewry arrived from working in units in northern B.C. and the Arctic.
"There was a need for it [a coast guard auxiliary]," said Drewry. "As boating continues to grow and the waterfront expands more people will be out on the water and so Squamish has more and more of a need here."
Drewry said the Squamish unit is fully active and coming together at a steady rate. They recruit and train new members every six months and have a fast rescue craft (FRC) moored down at the Squamish Yatch Club.
"We've had several calls over the past few months and things are slowly starting to pick up as we get into our busy season."
Their main focus right now, in addition to weekly training, is getting some fundraising efforts together to fund recruiting more members and refurbishing an old trailer they want to use as a home base for gear.
Drewry said the people in the unit are what make it such a great place to volunteer.
"Right now we have a really good group, everybody is really keen," said Drewry. "A lot of people like to support their community and we don't have to recruit people.
"A lot of them are the boater type if you want to call it that, so they enjoy getting out on the water and learning the navigation part of it."
The other important aspect is boating safety, and the coast guard auxiliary will conduct pleasure craft courtesy checks for anyone heading out on the water.
"They're just a voluntary boat check for people that have a sailing vessel or motorboat, we come along and do a bit of a check to make sure they have everything in place, give them some recommendations," said Drewry.
Ages range from 23 to 60 and come from all walks of life and all kinds of boating experience.
Drewry said there are three certifications needed before the coast guard auxiliary training can begin; a marine first aid, a restricted operator certificate (ROC) for marine radio and a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC). However, anyone interested in joining doesn't need to have them before joining.
"We'll work with themt o get them," he said. "If they don't have those we hold the courses on a regular basis to get everyone up to speed."
Rebecca Spitzer, 23, has been involved for almost two years and is one of the youngest unit members and she never pictured herself getting involved in this type of organization, and only joined because her boyfriend was a member.
"I was afraid of boats and water when I joined but thought maybe I could help from the ground with radio activity and fundraising," she said. "I wouldn't think of myself as a typical thrill seeker, go save people type person."
Spitzer has come a long way since then.
"I was thrown right into the whole training and going on the boat and Ron told me it would be ok, and it was."
Spitzer has since completed her three necessary courses and actually responded to a distress call.
She said being on the team has been inspirational.
"I've had so many experiences," she said. "I got to go on a hover craft and the pilot was female and it made me realize this was something I could go further with, something to aspire to."
Drewry said they haven't had any problem getting applicants, in fact, they can't accommodate everyone who wants to be involved.
"We get quite a few applicants and interest from people looking to join," he said. "We just don't have the resources right now to train up that many people or fuel enough to train on the water for that many people so we have to take it in steps."
He said they will be looking for new volunteers in September. For more info feel free to contact Ron Drewry at [email protected].
The Canadian Coast Guard established the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) in 1978, and the Squamish Coast Guard Auxiliary is one unit of the CCGA. The nearest auxiliary unit is in West Vancouver and together with the Coast Guard in Kitsilano, all three look after Howe Sound.
Dedicated volunteers make up auxiliaries throughout Canada who assist the Coast Guard in marine search and rescue operations and prevention, and enhance Canada's search and rescue capability. Over the past 12 months, the Pacific CCGA has assisted 967 people in distress and saved 238 lives.
