Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA)

The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - Pacific (CCGA-P) consists of approximately 1,000 highly trained members who provide 24-hour marine Search and Rescue (SAR) services for British Columbia's coastal waters, 365 days a year. Our volunteers are willing and ready to risk their lives to help anyone in distress on the water. Many of the auxiliary units, including Unit 10, have succeeded in raising funds from their communities to purchase and maintain their own dedicated Search and Rescue Vessels. As well as participating in SAR activities, all units are actively promoting Boating Safety in their communities.

In the last 12 months, members of the CCGA-P were credited with being directly responsible for saving over 186 lives and assisting over 500 people. In the Lower Mainland, these incidents included boating emergencies (i.e., fire, aground, sinking, taking on water, collisions, out of fuel, broken down), missing persons, suicides, medical evacuations, and assisting other emergencies organizations with marine-related incidents.

Because of their proximity to the Airport, Unit 10 plays an integral part of the Vancouver International Airport emergency plan, and also plays a role in our community's disaster response plans (earthquake, flood, etc.) With the ever-increasing demands on the Canadian Coast Guard services, the CCGA has become a vital resource when an emergency occurs on the water. Without community support, these lifesaving services would be impossible.

Being a volunteer in Unit 10 can be a lot of hard work but the satisfaction of boating safety and a successful search can be very rewarding.

Area of Responsibility

CCGA Unit 10's area of responsibility is covered by Auxiliary 6 (North & Middle Arm Fraser River) which starts at Swishwash Island in Richmond and goes all the way up to the Pitt River Bridge. Auxiliary 6 also covers the Strait of Georgia area from Point Cowan to Point Atkinson and Point Grey.

Auxiliary 7 is based in Steveston harbour and their area of responsibility is the South Arm of the Fraser River into New Westminster as well as the area West of Sand Heads.

History of Unit 10

Auxiliary 7

In its inception in 1988, Unit 10 was originally named Unit 7 funded through “The Steveston Marine Rescue Society”.  At this time operations where based in Steveston only and the monies raised by the Society supported Auxiliary 7.  Small fundraising operations were organized and usually less than $1,000 was raised a few times a year, which did keep the unit functional.  All members were required to purchase their own equipment and there was no funding to cover those expenses. In 1991, there was a general feeling that a Dedicated Response Vessel was needed near the airport.  The Society was asked to come up with a plan to raise funds to purchase a such a vessel, similar to those being utilized in other Units.  A request was made to Canadian Airlines Employees Charitable Donations and they established a campaign to raise funds.  This resulted in our first Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel in 1992, which was named “Guardian”. A station was established in the Middle Arm, just north of the Richmond Yacht Club. This immediately raised another problem and that was that most of the fundraising by the RMRS was limited to the Richmond-Steveston area. So in an effort to attract more funding to help with the ever increasing expenses, the Members opted to establish a Society solely for Auxiliary 6,“The Strait of Georgia Marine Rescue Society”, which concentrated their fundraising from the Greater Vancouver area. In 1997, Auxiliary 6 was able to buy a Zodiac 733, which was sold in 2002 to Long Beach and consequently the Carswell XL 249 was bought. The RMRS, in the meantime, concentrated on fundraising for Auxiliary 7 and eventually bought a new boat as well. Currently we have a Titan 249 RHI Delta operational in the Steveston area. From the beginning, Unit 10, consisting of Auxiliary 6 & 7, and its members have become recognized as one of the top units, not only in the Pacific Region, but in Canada.  The members have worked hard and diligently to establish a reputation as highly trained, and capable of taking on many tasks to support boating safety and search and rescue.  This is reflected in the numerous awards and citations, not only for the unit, but for its individual members.

Supporting Societies for Unit 10 - Richmond

Non-government funded Marine Search and Rescue is not unique to Canada, many industrialized nations rely on Volunteer organizations for such services. CCGA-P, Unit 10 - Richmond relies heavily on the support of two Societies; Richmond Marine Rescue Society (RMRS) and Strait of Georgia Marine Rescue Society (SoGMRS). Both RMRS and SoGMRS are registered non-profit societies, formed in the 1990's and provide the funding and resources for the operation of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Unit 10 - Richmond. Richmond Marine Rescue Society supports the search and rescue vessel, Auxiliary 7, which is a delta-configured, rigid hull inflatable (RHIB), fast response vessel based out of Steveston on the Fraser River. The vessel is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots in most sea conditions and carries a full complement of first aid gear including oxygen therapy. Auxiliary 7 is an important resource for the Fraser River, Georgia Strait, and surrounding areas in providing 24-hour Marine Search and Rescue services. Strait of Georgia Marine Rescue Society supports the search and rescue vessel, Auxiliary 6, which is a t-top RHIB, fast response vessel based in the Middle Arm near the Olympic Speed Skating Oval.  The vessel provides 24-hour Marine Search and Rescue services covering English Bay and the Georgia Strait, as well as the North Arm of the Fraser River from the Pacific Ocean to the Port Mann Bridge and the Vancouver Airport.   In addition to the two dedicated SAR vessels, the Societies work jointly to also support two additional training vessels - Tango 1 and the Nucleus.   The objective of both Societies is to ensure that the vessels, equipment, and training provided to Unit 10 volunteers is of the highest possible standard, providing the peace of mind and confidence needed while engaged in rescue response tasks.   As a volunteer organization, all Unit 10 and Society activities are performed without profit or gain to our members. Adequate funding is essential for Unit 10 to effectively provide the search and rescue services needed within the coastal and inland waters of BC's Lower Mainland. Funding and equipment are typically obtained through individual donations, community organizations, corporations, and various fundraising activities undertaken by the volunteer members of Unit 10.  In addition, the ongoing and tremendous support from the Province of British Columbia Gaming Commission is a cornerstone in our operational fundraising efforts.   Volunteers in the Unit and on the Board for each Society, put in hundreds of hours each year... ranging from 5 hours to 20 hours a week. Unit 10 diligently maintains all vessels and equipment, but there is only so much that can be done as time, use, and the elements take their toll.  Both the boating community and the rescuers themselves rely on this equipment to be in tip top shape, as an emergency on the water is no time for mechanical or equipment failure. This is why it is so important that both Societies meet their objective to ensure that Unit 10 is provided with the support needed so there are no impediments to the fast and safe resolution of a marine incident. Your donation will help ensure that Unit 10 can continue to deliver its volunteer services in a professional manner, and in doing so, save lives. Richmond Marine Rescue Society PO Box 107, 9 - 8671 No. 1 Rd. Richmond, BC, V7C 1V2 2007 - 2008 Board of Directors: Blake Williams - President Ross Fothergill - Vice-President Michele Anderson - Treasurer Corinne Loeppky - Secretary Laurence Peake - Director at Large Strait of Georgia Marine Rescue Society PO Box 36025, 10991 No. 1 Road, Richmond, BC, V7E 1S1 2007 - 2008 Board of Directors: Kari Healey - President Elspeth Sage - Vice-President Paddy Ryan - Treasurer Make A Donation