New Marine Rescue Base An Important Addition for Shuswap Residents & Visitors
New RCMSAR Station 106 Marine Rescue Base
(photo contributed by Shuswap Lifeboat Society)
By Jo Boxwell
A new marine rescue base was officially opened in Sicamous at the end of May. The base is run by the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 106 with support by the Shuswap Lifeboat Society, which provides administrative support and helps raise funds for the station.
RCMSAR 106 Fast Response Vessel Tolonen (photo contributed by Shuswap Lifeboat Society).
Bruce Weicker, Shuswap Lifeboat Society President, explained that this new base is not just a big deal for Sicamous, but for everyone who lives and plays on and around Shuswap Lake. The lifeboats attend to various kinds of incidents on the water, such as boat crashes, throughout the year and wherever they occur on the lake. They also assist in other situations. Since it takes about two hours for an ambulance to drive out to Seymour Arm, the lifeboat service often attends the community to assist with medical emergencies, even during the winter months, with a lifeboat able to reach the community in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Bruce also noted that in August 2023, “We played a significant role in the North Shuswap wildfires,” by helping with evacuations and supplying evacuees who travelled to Seymour Arm with groceries and prescription medications.
Initial discussions for the creation of a floating marine base for RCMSAR Station 106 began around 2016, with fundraising efforts beginning towards the end of 2018. Twin Anchors Manufacturing was selected as the builder.
RCMSAR crew at opening ceremony (photo contributed by Shuswap Lifeboat Society)
Bruce stressed that the finished product is not simply a cover to keep snow off the boats (which nonetheless is a major plus when it comes to responding quickly in the winter). The floating marine base also provides a private space for patients in need of medical care when a lifeboat returns to the base, a navigation training area, meeting space and technology to track lifeboats attending situations on the lake. In the event of a major crisis, the building can be utilized by RCMSAR and other organizations as an operations centre. The design of the building incorporates environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, energy-efficient climate control and fish-sensitive mesh decking. Bruce commented that those who took guided tours of the new facility during the opening event “were very surprised and impressed with the level of technology that we have.”
The opening ceremony for the marine base was attended by local dignitaries including District of Sicamous Mayor Colleen Anderson, City of Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison, CSRD Board Chair Natalya Melnychuk, Salmon Arm-Shuswap MLA David Williams and Lesley Milligan of the Seymour Arm First Responders. RCMSAR CEO Bill Riggs and Manager of HR, John Johnston presented the Lifeboat Society and the RCMSAR Station 106 team with an award for their hard work and success in building community partnerships to establish the marine rescue base. Bruce and RCMSAR Station 106 Leader Tamara Lansing both spoke at the ceremony.
RCMSAR CEO Bill Riggs (L) presents award to Bruce Weicker and Tamara Lansing (photo contributed by Shuswap Lifeboat Society)
The marine rescue base received funding from various sources including the CSRD, a Capital Grant from BC Community Gaming, SASCU, Shuswap Community Foundation and private donations. A new rescue base name was unveiled recognizing the credit union’s contribution: “RCMSAR Station 106 Rescue Base — Floated by SASCU”. According to a SASCU press release, the naming agreement comes with a five-year financial contribution from the credit union. “Congratulations to the Shuswap Lifeboat Society on this exceptional project that will help save lives,” said Constance Ladell, Chair of SASCU Board of Directors. “It is so commendable how this group and many others persevered in making their vision a reality.”
