If you are interested in volunteering with RCMSAR Station 25 please consider the following:
Prerequisites:
you are:
available within 30 minutes travel time to our rescue vessel based in Vesuvius - when “on call”
a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
19 years of age or eligible for Junior Membership
not colourblind - you must possess normal colour vision required to engage in search and rescue operations
you have:
or are willing to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) - click here
or are willing to undergo a Criminal Record Check through the BC Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) - click here - free of charge and we will assist you with this
a reasonable level of physical fitness to safely carry out search and rescue duties
Time COMMITMENT:
Weekly meetings and classroom training
We meet every Tuesday from 1800 to 1930h for business and classroom training either:
downstairs at the Legion Hall, Salt Spring Island, or
virtually using the Zoom platform.
If RCMSAR25 is new to you, please call John at 250-221-1677 or email him at recruiting@rcmsar25.com for information on our next meetings, and if required, to get an invitation to Zoom.
On-the-water training
about two hours every week or two, meeting at our “ready-room” and dock in Vesuvius and head out with crew under the guidance of one of your coxswains on our SAR vessel, usually with several options each week for training times
“On-call” Availability for search and rescue taskings:
aim to be available “on call” for 5 to 7 days/month (20 to 28 x 6h shifts)
each 24h day is divided into 6h shifts - sign up online according to your availability giving consideration to your work and family obligations
What’s in it for you?
Gain experience and improve your seamanship skills in the local marine environment with a high performance search and rescue vessel with top quality equipment and highly experienced leadership
On-going training including:
Classroom and on-the-water training based on the RCMSAR Search and Rescue Crew Manual - click here - covering all aspects of marine SAR activities, safety, practical seamanship, communications, navigation, etc.
Canadian Red Cross Marine Basic First Aid - click here
VHF Radio - Restricted Operator Certification - Maritime (ROC-M) - click here
Training courses offered at the RCMSAR Training Centre in East Sooke - click here
Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training (RHIOT) - through the Canadian Coast Guard - click here and here
Personal satisfaction and camaraderie through volunteering with like-minded men and women from Salt Spring Island
A Canada Revenue Agency tax credit - if you log enough hours as a volunteer each year - click here for more information
For more information and to Apply:
call John at 250-221-1677 or email him at recruiting@rcmsar25.com
we typically focus new crew recruitment annually each spring - applications received during the year may therefore be put “on hold” until we are in a position to bring new members onto crew
download and complete a membership application form:
save or scan and email the application form to recruiting@rcmsar25.com, or print and give it to a unit member or bring it to a weekly meeting, or send it to our postal address
