The local Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station christened its newest vessel last weekend.
Volunteers, dignitaries and others from the community gathered at Captain's Cove Marina last Saturday afternoon for the commissioning of the Spirit of Delta V, the new rescue vessel for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM SAR), Station 8 Delta.
"It was an amazing ceremony," said station leader Capt. Jeff Engholm.
The fast response vessel is the first of many to be commissioned along the B.C. coastline. It gives RCM SAR volunteers state of the art technology to help in their quest of promoting water safety and helping boaters on local waters.
Engholm said the new vessel has a shock-mitigating console that will give volunteers the ability to go out in more adverse conditions. He said it also allows those on board to remain seated, which will increase safety for volunteers and anyone brought onboard during a rescue mission.
The vessel also has self-righting capabilities and can re-right itself in 14 seconds if needed.
Station 8 acquired the vessel earlier this year, however, it had to be outfitted with the proper equipment and volunteers had to undergo training before it is ready for a mission.
Engholm said it should be put into service later this month.
Formerly known as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, RCM SAR volunteers are on call 365 days a year.
The unit covers an area that measures 1,500 square kilometres - a large portion of the southern end of the Strait of Georgia - and is based out of the Point Roberts Marina.
