THE MAGAZINE OF ROYAL CANADIAN MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE. Compass. 24-hr. Media Line (+1)

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1 THE MAGAZINE OF ROYAL CANADIAN MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE SEPTEMBER 2016 Compass 24-hr. Media Line (+1)

2 CONTENTS ON THE COVER: RCM-SAR Station 27 Nanaimo members pose with their dedicated response vessel G.B. Meynell shortly before the 2016 Nanaimo Marine Festival parade on July 23. (Photo: Station 27 Facebook) Departments 3 CEO S PERSPECTIVE An update from CEO Pat Quealey 5 RESCUE ROUNDUPS 10 CREW MEMBER OF THE MONTH Station 102 s Bill Hopkins Features 14 Learning From Our Partners Living and working with the United States Coast Guard 18 New Technology in Marine SAR Datum marker buoy tracking using AIS 24 Back in Business Kitsilano Coast Guard base reopens 12 PROFILES New staff Danielle Lifton and Mark Oliver 25 PORTFOLIO UPDATES Updates on administration, boating safety, training and operations 35 FINAL WORD A message from the vice president Note: The photos that appeared on page 34 of the July 2016 Compass were taken by Station 33 Oak Bay member Stephan Ban. Compass 2 September 2016

3 CEO S PERSPECTIVE Listening To and Learning From Our Members An update from RCM-SAR Chief Executive Officer Pat Quealey RCM-SAR team, Over the last four months I have had the privilege to visit with about 20 of our stations. While I have a continuing journey ahead to meet with all of you, thank you to everyone so far who has been able to take the time to meet and share your knowledge and experience. I have taken good notes and am bringing your feedback and insights back to HQ to incorporate them into our work. I continue to be impressed by the passion and diligence of our team and the professionalism with which you represent us on the water and in your communities. Regardless of community size or station capacity or challenges, this has been a consistent impression. Thank you! Not surprisingly, the recent feedback we received from the Strategic Planning Member Survey has reflected this spirit of volunteerism and a passion to help others as core strengths for us to guard as we look to the future. I hope you get a chance to read the highlights of the survey in this issue of the Compass and review the summary report found here. We will use this feedback as guidance as we build the framework for our long term strategic plan. I look forward to briefing you on its development at the upcoming annual general meeting in October. We continue to work on developing meaningful partnerships with new agencies and strengthening our existing ones. One of the survey areas where over 75 per cent of respondents showed support is for the development of our ability to train for and support environmental response operations. Clearly, this is an area we need to approach methodically and with due consideration for risk and health and safety implications for our crews. My immediate sense is that if we were to embark on this new area of operations, we would need to restrict our role to prevent any potential exposure to hazardous materials or their effects. I look forward to investigating this further and reporting back on our findings and any potential partnerships that might complement and strengthen our core capabilities and focus on marine search and rescue. As we continue to build capacity at the headquarters and training centre in order to better serve station needs, I am very happy to introduce you to Danielle Lifton, our new administrative assistant at HQ. Danielle joins us with a strong background in public service administrative support Compass 3 September 2016

4 CEO S PERSPECTIVE Pat meeting with members of Station 35 Victoria We continue to work on developing meaningful partnerships with new agencies and strengthening our existing ones and is already adding her expertise to our activities. Mark Oliver has joined the HQ team in a short-term position as standards officer to help evolve our training standards and develop supporting guidance and material for station-level training. Mark hails from an extensive career in the Royal Canadian Navy. You ll learn more about Danielle and Mark as you read on. I also understand that we have had interest from a number of our experienced members who have offered to join our chief instructor in the delivery of courses at our training centre. Thank you for answering the call! As we welcome our newcomers, we are saying a sad farewell to Finance Officer Laura Davis, who is retiring at the end of September. Laura has been managing RCM-SAR s complex finances for almost five years and has made a tremendous impact on the smooth running of our organization. She has modernized and streamlined our accounting system, provided valuable strategic advice to management and the board and year after year has earned high praise from the auditors who carefully review RCM-SAR s books. Laura has been an energetic and passionate supporter of RCM-SAR. We wish her well in her retirement and in her ongoing volunteer role in promoting arts and culture in Victoria s western communities as chair of the West Shore Arts Council. In this Compass, you will also learn the highlights of some of the efforts of the newly-formed Safety and Training Board (STB). I am confident that the station and management team representation within the STB will add process and perspective to important decisions around safety and training that RCM-SAR will need to consider in a collaborative manner. I trust that you will see the benefits of this approach positively impact station operations as we continue to grow as a team. To those of you reading the Compass for the first time, either as new crew or an interested partner, welcome to the team! I hope that you will sense the spirit of our organization within these words. Enjoy! Compass 4 September 2016

5 RESCUE ROUNDUPS Photo: David Lacey Station 61 Pender Harbour August 3 Recently the community of Pender Harbour on the Sunshine Coast rose to the occasion when a luxury yacht with more than 5,000 litres of fuel on board hit a rock and began sinking in the harbour. The volunteer crew from RCM-SAR s Pender Harbour station was paged to what was originally thought to be a sailboat in trouble. It turned out to be the 94-foot American luxury yacht Bellissima. The yacht had hit a rock near the harbour entrance and was rapidly taking on water. Compass 5 September 2016

6 RESCUE Coxswain Terry Pollock and crew members Eliza Kinley, Vern Lillies, Don McLaren and Thomas Monnier departed base at 2:40 p.m., reaching the yacht five minutes later. By the time the RCM-SAR crew arrived the passengers had been safely transferred to nearby vessels and the captain and first mate were abandoning ship. The vessel was adrift and taking on water very quickly. The rescue crew s priority was to anchor the vessel to prevent it drifting into the crowded and environmentallysensitive harbour. With the yacht s power shut off, the crew manually winched down the anchor. It held. Water was still pouring in. The crew fired up their dewatering pump, but it was clear the lone pump wouldn t be enough to stop the yacht from sinking. That s when the community sprang to action. Responding to the RCM-SAR crew s call, local residents, businesses and the fire department rounded up as many pumps as they could. RCM-SAR volunteers and local mariners used their own boats to ferry the pumps to the stricken vessel and help with the salvage effort. The Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat Cape Caution also arrived on scene to help keep the yacht afloat. The effort paid off. The pumps kept up, and later that day divers were able to patch the hole. The yacht was safely towed away from the harbour to Vancouver for repairs. There were no injuries, and no fuel leaked to endanger local marine life. Our crew really saved the day by getting there so quickly and taking action to secure the boat and start the pump operation, said David Lacey, the RCM-SAR Pender Harbour station leader. Otherwise the boat would have gone down. The Pender Harbour team is proud to be part of their community and grateful that they can count on the community s support when there s a Mayday on the coast. Station 12 Halfmoon Bay July 29 Our crew really saved the day by getting there so quickly Photo: CTV News Vancouver An RCM-SAR Halfmoon Bay crew rescued five people aboard a stranded powerboat, despite dark, windy and choppy conditions. On July 29 at 11:10 p.m., the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre ( JRCC) tasked Station 12 to assist a small vessel adrift off Epsom Point on North Thormanby Island. Coxswain David Brown and crew members Peter Forster, Simon Gleeson and Ida Koopman departed base at 11:45 p.m. in the station s dedicated response vessel Ken Moore. The crew immediately encountered a north wind of 20 knots and four-foot seas, tough conditions compounded by Compass 6 September 2016

7 RESCUE Photo: Station 12 Facebook the darkness of the night. While in transit, the crew received a report from JRCC that the disabled vessel had contacted them via cell phone to say that they were in distress. The crew continued toward the vessel s reported position, which was on the west side of the gap between North Thormanby and Thormanby islands. Upon arrival, the crew conducted a visual search with negative results. They contacted JRCC to report that the vessel was not at the latitude and longitude they had been given. While passing on this information, the crew pointed their vessel toward Vancouver Island, maintaining a good visual lookout. Despite the large amount of ambient light coming from the island, crew members spotted a light flashing in the distance and began their approach. They arrived on scene at approximately 12:50 a.m. and determined that the flashing lights were from three of the disabled vessel passenger s cell phones, which they were using as signalling devices. The crew conducted a SAP (stop, assess, plan) and determined that five people and a dog were aboard the vessel and that no one was injured or in need of medical attention. The vessel s engine and battery were dead and there were no flares, flashlights or VHF on board, which was why it was difficult to find them. Two of the passengers were brought aboard the Ken Moore and at 1:10 a.m. the crew began a stern tow of the disabled vessel back to Secret Cove Marina. Weather conditions had not improved so the trip took longer than usual, but the Ken Moore arrived safely at the marina at 2:30 a.m. All of the disabled vessel s occupants were in good spirits and were met by a family member who took them home. Congratulations to the Station 12 crew on overcoming this mission s obstacles and completing another successful rescue. Station 1 West Vancouver August 3 A frantic father s fears were put to rest after an RCM-SAR West Vancouver crew reunited him with his two children who had not returned from an afternoon kayaking trip. At 9:00 p.m. on August 3, Station 1 Coxswain Ian Grantham and crew members Vanessa Abbott, Scott Liffen, Gerard McKenzie and Cory Wright were returning to Horseshoe Bay after a training exercise when a man on the dock anxiously flagged them down. The man informed them that his two teenaged children had left on a kayaking trip Compass 7 September 2016

8 RESCUE three hours earlier and had not returned, despite promising to be back before sunset. The only information the man had was that they were headed toward the Sunshine Coast and that they had not taken any means of communication with them. Coxswain Grantham contacted JRCC and informed them of the situation and their search plan. The crew immediately headed out in their dedicated response vessel Craig Rea Spirit, beginning a shoreline search of Howe Sound from Snug Cove north to Hutt Island and then across to Hope Point and through Halkett Bay. While transiting to Hope Point the crew received a call from JRCC, informing them that persons matching the missing teens descriptions had been sighted on the south end of Bowyer Island. The crew transited to this location and found the kayakers, who were cold and wet but relieved and happy to see the rescue vessel. The crew took the teens aboard the Craig Rea Spirit and transported them back to Horseshoe Bay. By 10:00 p.m. they were reunited with waiting family members. While Coxswain Grantham praised the teens for stopping at Bowyers Island after realizing they were in trouble, Grantham and the rest of the crew emphasized the importance of communications and having a sail or paddle plan in place before heading out. The incident is a reminder for kayakers to exercise caution, according to Grantham. Much the same as when you re going hiking in the back woods, tell someone where you re going, when you re going to be back, and have a method of communication. Station 10 Richmond July 23 The incident is a reminder for kayakers to exercise caution Vancouver s annual Celebration of Light festival kept an RCM-SAR Station 10 Richmond crew busy as they responded to two overlapping incidents. On the evening of July 23, Station 10 Coxswain Simon Pearce and crew members Daniel Blackman, James Heinekey, Timothy Kendrick and David Poppell were providing a SAR patrol for the fireworks show when a small pleasure craft flagged them down at 9:45 p.m. The vessel, which had four people on board, had broken down in English Bay during the show. They requested a tow to Vancouver Marina, but as they were in no immediate danger, the Station 10 crew was not authorized to tow them. A commercial tow was offered but the boaters declined Compass 8 September 2016

9 RESCUE because of the cost and decided to try and restart the vessel themselves. The Station 10 crew advised them to anchor and put on their lights. Once this had been done, they continued on their SAR patrol. Once the fireworks ended the crew began transiting back toward the disabled vessel, which flagged them down again, this time at 10:15 p.m. They had been unable to restart their vessel and again requested a tow. Coxswain Pearce contacted JRCC and received authorization to tow the vessel to False Creek. At 10:25 p.m. the vessel was taken under a stern tow and the Station 10 crew began heading toward False Creek. Approximately 20 minutes later the crew arrived at the entrance to False Creek and spotted two people in the water between two sailboats. They immediately proceeded to the scene and determined that one person had already been recovered from the water by one of the sailboats while two others (a man and a young girl) remained in the water. The sailboat s passengers were unable to recover either of them so the Station 10 crew quickly reversed course, despite very heavy traffic and having a vessel in tow. The crew contacted JRCC to inform them of the situation and to request additional assistance and medical care for the recovered person, who appeared hypothermic. The Station 10 crew then performed a quick alongside tow connection with the vessel under tow to port side and prepared for person recovery on the starboard side. In the meantime, one of the sailboats had recovered the young girl from the water, but the man was still in the water, unreachable by the sailboat because of overcrowding and very heavy traffic. Station 10 crew members boarded the second sailboat (which was unmanned) and at 10:48 p.m. recovered the man from the water. At 10:53 p.m. a Coast Guard vessel from the Kitsilano base arrived on scene and took over the mission, allowing the Station 10 crew to continue their original tow. At 11:10 p.m. the Station 10 crew arrived at Vanier Park and safely dropped off the towed vessel and its passengers. They continued on SAR patrol and thankfully did not encounter any other problems, ending their patrol at 1:30 a.m. Photo: GoToVan Compass 9 September 2016

10 Crew Member of the Month: Bill Hopkins RCM-SAR Station 102 Fraser Valley s Bill Hopkins is September s Crew Member of the Month. Training and Achievements: RCM-SAR member for twenty years station leader, training officer, media liaison boating safety officer, pleasure craft safety checker From Member Recognition Manager Elizabeth Wilkes: The village of Harrison Hot Springs, located on the shores of Harrison Lake, is home to 20-year RCM-SAR member Bill Hopkins. Bill, a certified electrical inspector by trade, joined Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons in 1985 and eventually became an instructor. In 1997 he joined RCM- SAR to help promote SAR prevention in the boating community. RCM-SAR Station 102 Fraser Valley focuses solely on SAR prevention they have no boat and they do not get tasked. This makes Bill s dedication even more outstanding after all, many of us join for the adrenaline rush of being on the water in a boat, with a like-minded crew, rescuing fellow boaters. Bill can typically be found at Harrison Lake s busy marinas and boat launches conducting pleasure craft safety checks as boat owners quickly back their boats down the launches. It s a different kind of check certainly not a slow-paced one, but it still ensures the safety of everyone on board. From SAR Prevention Manager Cathy Dupuis: Bill is always a pleasure to talk with and he has many interesting stories and information about his community and surrounding area. Bill s boating safety station is small but they are well known in the Fraser Valley for their good work. Congratulations Bill for 20 years of dedication and commitment thank you so very much! Compass 10 September 2016

11 SAR MEMORIAL RCM-SAR to Help Turn SAR Memorial from Dream into Reality By Jane Maisonvillle-Phillips, Development Officer A wonderful opportunity has arisen to honour our members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving lives on the water. As part of the triad of land, air and marine SAR, we are responsible for raising funds to build this worthwhile tribute. To that end we have secured a unique, one-of-a-kind experience donated by Aquatica Submarines & Subsea Technologies. We will raffle off an underwater experience in the Aquatica submarine, which dives at one atmosphere to 500 feet. This experience will take place in either Vancouver or Nanaimo depending on the address of the raffle winner. We plan to sell 10,000 raffle tickets at $5 each (or five for $20) with each member being encouraged to sell 10 tickets. Any funds that are not used in the construction of the memorial will be earmarked for the training centre and their objective of curriculum development and all that entails. Look for more information to follow from your station leaders in the second week of September. The draw will be scheduled for the end of October Aquatica Submarines is a Canadian company established to provide complete design, manufacturing, sales and support of the various submersible models in the lineup. This includes sensors, components, manipulators and other subsea tech. Compass 11 September 2016

12 NEW STAFF Meet RCM-SAR s new administrative assistant Danielle Lifton. Based at HQ, Danielle will be assisting with everything from membership intake to training course administration. When did you start working for RCM-SAR? I started working for RCM-SAR on July 20. Why did you want to work for RCM-SAR? After working in a few different office environments, I found I prefer working for a non-profit organization and when I saw that the RCM- SAR office was in my community I was very excited to apply for the job. What background do you bring to this position? I graduated from the Office Administration program at Camosun College. After that I worked at BC Hockey for two years as an administrative assistant and for a short time I worked in a municipal office as a clerk. I continue to work at Sooke s SEAPARC leisure complex as a receptionist. I also have completed the Criminal Justice diploma and the first-year courses of the Sports Management diploma with Camosun. What sort of activities do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work I enjoy riding and trick training with my horse, as well as hiking and adventuring with my husband and our dog around the island. Do you have any boating experience? Just the occasional fishing trip! Is there anything else you d like to share with the membership? I am excited to be at RCM-SAR and look forward to working with the members. Compass 12 September 2016

13 NEW STAFF Mark Oliver joins RCM-SAR s HQ team in a short-term standards officer position. Mark will be helping to develop RCM-SAR s regional training standards and station-level training materials. When did you start working for RCM-SAR? I started working for RCM-SAR at the end of July. Why did you want to work for RCM-SAR? When I read the RCM-SAR website I was immediately impressed by the professionalism of the organization. The level of dedication required from a member of RCM-SAR and the importance of the service you provide is commendable. What background do you bring to this position? I spent 34 years in the Royal Canadian Navy as a marine engineer and later as a clearance diver. During my career as a clearance diver I was responsible for all levels of training military divers, rising from standby diver to instructor and finally to chief of training. I served in many other capacities of navy diving that required operating and navigating RHIBS, jet-driven diving support vessels and 300-ton diving tenders. Can you outline what your position with RCM-SAR involves? As the standards officer I hope to bring some clarity to some of the current training issues facing RCM-SAR. The complexity of training required by RCM-SAR volunteers is amazing so this is no small task but I look forward to liaising with and hopefully meeting as many RCM-SAR members as possible in accomplishing this. What sort of activities do you enjoy doing outside of work? I m soon to be a firsttime granddad so I suspect that will be a priority but I love golfing, biking, sailing, hiking, skiing, flying, travelling and being with my family and friends. Do you have any boating experience? My entire life has been around or on vessels ranging from dinghies to destroyers but the best was learning how to row a six-foot punt as a four year old! I still love the simple pleasure of going for a row. Is there anything else you d like to share with the membership? Your commitment to RCM-SAR is noble and as a boat owner I m comforted to know you are ready to help when trouble happens on the water. Compass 13 September 2016

14 PRACTICAL SKILLS Learning From Our Partners Training With the United States Coast Guard By Jason van der Valk, Regional SAR Operations Manager Compass 14 September 2016

15 INTERNATIONAL Recently I had the opportunity to spend five days with United States Coast Guard (USCG) Station Bellingham and their crew, standing on SAR watch and living on base with them. This was a great opportunity for me to learn more about their operations and build relationships with a station that has previously done joint training and missions with some of the RCM-SAR stations closest to them. It also helped me to understand how they train and to see if there was anything I could pick up that might assist our organization in the ways we operate and train. The first day I arrived I met with Officer in Charge Charles Chavtur. He welcomed me to the station and showed me the room that I was to call home for the next five days. It was a typical military room with shared bunks, a lone desk and some lockers. After I unpacked, I made my way back downstairs and introduced myself to the many men and women who were standing watch that day both as primary SAR and also law enforcement. From 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. they stand watch in the radio and operations room they have at their base. Compass 15 September 2016

16 INTERNATIONAL It is typically the newer recruits who monitor VHF channels and they are very much like Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) in Canada, except they do not handle vessel traffic. If a distress is overheard at their station they will initiate a sequence of questions, much like MCTS does, and then pass over to Sector Puget Sound, which is very similar to JRCC Victoria. I went over the program they use for radio monitoring, Rescue 21, and learned much about their radio operations. Next I learned about the risk assessment models they use and how they apply it to training and missions. I was then taken down to their boat house and shown the four vessels they have. Two of the vessels are 29-foot cabin twin outboard rescue craft and the other two are 45-foot jet boats, which are very similar to the older 47-foot design they stopped using but that the Canadian Coast Guard still uses. I was shown around the inside of all the vessels and given a rundown of their equipment, location of items and safety protocols. Next we got underway on one of the 29-foot vessels and went for a three-hour tour around their area of operations, which took us as far south as Deception Pass and as far west as Lopez Island. The area of operations for this station runs to the Canadian border to the I was pleased that I fit in quite seamlessly with their operational team and was able to work closely with their crew. north, the whole of the San Juan Islands to the west and down south as far as the entrance to Puget Sound. Quite a large area to cover! The rest of my days at USCG Bellingham were spent learning as much as I could on shore and getting underway with them whenever they went out sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon and sometimes we were out until midnight. Training exercises covering towing, man overboard drills, fire drills and search patterns were always going on. They would often get two Compass 16 September 2016

17 INTERNATIONAL boats out to practice both stern tows and alongside tows. The rest of the time when the crews worked at the base I stayed in the radio watch room watching their operations. I remained on-call with them for the entire five days. They try to get underway within five to six minutes of a tasking and rarely leave the station compound. If they do it is not for long and within earshot of the alarms going off. During my time there I had the opportunity to participate in three SAR taskings. The first one was a vessel on the rocks in Anacortes, another was a stolen vessel (I was quickly taken off the boat and moved to their other boat once the person was apprehended and placed on their vessel) and the last mission was a call from a father and young son whose boat broke down in Birch Bay and was close to going on the rocks. We were stood down en route to this call when a vessel of opportunity assisted them. I was pleased that I fit in quite seamlessly with their operational team and was able to work closely with their crew. Aside from the differences of vessels and location of equipment and some of their communications, techniques and training methods were not much different than those we use at RCM-SAR. I learned a lot about the USCG and the lives of the crews who serve. It was an experience I will always remember and I can say I feel stronger about our organization and our abilities, having seen and worked alongside some of the best-trained SAR people in the world. I am proud of what RCM-SAR has accomplished as an organization and of all the brave men and women who volunteer their time to make BC safer and to help save lives on the water. Compass 17 September 2016

18 SAR TECHNOLOGY Data Marker Buoy Tracking Using AIS Photos: Adam Hyde Station 1 West Vancouver s Adam Hyde outlines how he and his fellow RCM-SAR members developed a new and more effective way to track datum marker buoys by using automatic identification system technology. RCM-SAR Station 1 West Vancouver has successfully completed the implementation of datum marker buoy (DMB) tracking using AIS (Automatic Identification System). Deploying a DMB is critical for successful marine searches. Is using AIS technology a significant improvement? Let s take a closer look at the goals and details of the project along with the benefits of real-time DMB tracking using AIS. Deploying a DMB into the water at the starting point of most searches (datum) is a key tool for monitoring drift and guiding search patterns. On the BC coast marine searches are overseen by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre ( JRCC). JRCC has other tools at its disposal to estimate drift but also relies on SAR vessels to relay DMB location and drift information to better evaluate on-scene conditions. MetOcean DMB Boudewijn Neijens proudly shows off his newly-modified DMB For many years the MetOcean Novatech RF-700C1 VHF radio beacon and Xenon flasher combo has been used by RCM-SAR Compass 18 September 2016

19 SAR TECHNOLOGY MetOcean Novatech RF-700C1 DMB crews along with a float collar and skirt as a DMB. On the coast we use VHF channel 15 to detect pings from the DMB using a Taiyo radio direction finder (RDF). These pings are used to find a hard-to-locate DMB. The cost of the Novatech beacon is approximately $2,000. The Novatech beacon is a rugged and durable product with a rated depth of 1,968 feet. It does however have some disadvantages when used for marine search and rescue, such as: An RDF must be used for tracking, which is a slow process Limited range, particularly during the day Easy to lose in rough conditions No real-time tracking Expensive to purchase for a volunteer organization MetOcean specifies the range to be four to eight nautical miles (nm). However, this is the best-case scenario if using a highly-elevated receiving antenna on a large ship or airplane. Experience has shown that we lose pings from the unit 0.3 miles to one mile away using RDF antennas on SAR vessels. At night the strobe increases the practical range to two to three nm. In rough seas it is hard to find the DMB post search. This increases risks for crews and also the overall search costs. Investigating AIS Tracking Alistair Duncan from RCM-SAR s West Vancouver station got wind of a pioneering effort by Rob Roe of the Sooke station. Rob had apparently tried to prototype a DMB that transmitted AIS tracking data on standard AIS channels 87B and 88B. Rob went to register a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for the AIS transmitter but In rough seas it is hard to find the DMB post search, which increases risks for crews was declined by Industry Canada. Their position was that it was not a vessel and it might confuse other ships. Not to be dissuaded, Alistair investigated other options. He found the vmstrack, which is an asset tracking product by Weatherdock of NÜrnberg, Germany that can be programmed to non-standard AIS channels. The vmstrack is a special version of Weatherdock s easyrescue series of personal locator beacons also known as an AIS search and rescue transponder (AIS-SART). It is also waterproof and it floats. This led Station 1 to evaluate it as a new method of DMB tracking. Alistair, our Maintenance Officer Boudewijn Neijens and I kicked off the AIS DMB project with the following goals: Reduced cost of a DMB Increased range Compass 19 September 2016

20 SAR TECHNOLOGY Real-time tracking and easier retrieval Utilization of existing equipment where possible Private AIS transmission not receivable by other vessels Electronics Integration Station 1 s vessel Craig Rea Spirit has three older E90w Hybrid Touch displays networked together. We also have a Raymarine Class B AIS 650 transceiver to send our position to other ships and to receive and display nearby AIS targets. After consultation with the local Weatherdock dealer Startech Marine of North Vancouver we ordered both the vmstrack A130 ($700) and easyrx2s receiver ($900). Both the transmitter and receiver can be programmed to use VHF channel 15 or other channels depending on the application. The vmstrack we tested has since been succeeded by the vmstrack Pro A193-CS. This version has minor upgrades and has been ordered for our second DMB. Startech Marine came to our station to install the receiver and assist with the programming and testing of the vmstrack unit. Our first attempt was to connect the Programming and installation of the Weatherdock easyrx2s receiver easyrx2s AIS receiver into an NMEA 0183 input on one of our Raymarine displays. A conflict with the Raymarine AIS650 caused us to rethink this strategy. The multi-function displays do not reconcile two different AIS sources feeding in data on different inputs. Understandably, nobody would usually ever need to set things up this way. Our second attempt was to use the builtin NMEA multiplexer in the easyrx2s to combine the Raymarine 650 s AIS ship target data along with the AIS data from the vmstrack. We disconnected the SeaTalk ng cable from the Raymarine unit and fed the data via NMEA 0183 directly into the Weatherdock receiver. The receiver was then connected to one of the Raymarine displays. This display then re-broadcasts the data to the other displays on the network. Compass 20 September 2016

21 SAR TECHNOLOGY The setup shown in the diagram below worked great at the dock so we progressed to some real-world testing. The next step was to re-design the DMB to hold the vmstrack and keep the antenna pointing straight up. Station 1 s private DMB data on channel 15 mixed with standard AIS target list RCM-SAR Station 1 AIS configuration Real-time Tracking What is great about this new approach is that all other ships other than RCM-SAR vessels will not see our DMB s AIS data. It remains hidden from view for everyone else. This alleviates Industry Canada s concern about confusion. It also gets around having to register an actual MMSI number for a device that is not a ship. The tracker also leaves less of a footprint on VHF channel 15. This is because it is only sending digital micro-bursts of data, not the longer bursts of analog static that the Novatech beacon transmits. You can see on the target list in the photo above we have named the DMB RCMSAR DMB01. The 01 represents our station ID. The second DMB for our new vessel SAR1B will have a B appended to the name. We also programmed the AIS destination field to be West Vancouver for further identification. Note that it will be really important for all RCM-SAR stations to follow a standard naming convention. One of the great benefits is that you can now see the course over ground and speed over ground of the DMB in real-time. You also have access to the position of the DMB at all times, assuming you are in range. An Compass 21 September 2016

22 SAR TECHNOLOGY additional benefit is that the Weatherdock AIS receiver includes an SD card slot which allows DMB drift data to be stored and reviewed back at base. Using AIS to track a SAR DMB is a huge leap forward and is long overdue. DMB Prototype Fixed Position Range Testing The vmstrack can be programmed to send out a signal at a pre-determined frequency. Station 1 presently has set this to one minute, which is frequent enough for tracking while preserving battery life. With further testing we might change this setting to every 10 seconds to speed up initial signal acquisition time. Battery life at one-minute intervals is estimated at 48 hours. Our first test was to put just the tracker (no DMB) on Grebe Islet about six feet up (so it didn t wash away). We then headed toward UBC. At about three nm we lost it on the AIS target list. We then backtracked and it took a while to reacquire it. We went to within two nm before we found it again. This looked promising but it was not a floating test. We guessed that the signal might be blocked or reflected by the island. Next we needed a DMB prototype we could drop in the water. Weatherdock sells both a charging cradle ($60) which we have permanently installed in our boat and a version which is just a non-charging holder ($20). Boudewijn attached this holder to an ABS pipe along with an ACR firefly strobe, the MetOcean skirt, a float (under the skirt) and zincs acting as counter weights at the bottom. This design has now been updated but it served the purpose of our first floating range testing. Floating Range Testing The prototype DMB was deployed in open water in Howe Sound. Conditions were one-foot chop and some wind fairly normal summer conditions. We lost the signal somewhere around 5.3 nm from the DMB and then returned slowly to reacquire the signal again around 5.3 to 5.2 nm. Curiously the DMB first showed up for a couple of minutes without any identification other than its MMSI number (preset from factory). The AIS The first prototype of DMB using AIS transmits every minute, so the data is quite accurate. We checked the lat/long position indicated by the AIS when we recovered the unit. The reading was 100 per cent in line with the vessel s own GPS. Compass 22 September 2016

23 SAR TECHNOLOGY Project Conclusions Top of the final DMB with inset showing the underside upside down Final DMB Design After the successful test of our DMB prototype Boudewijn had some concerns. He felt there wasn t enough protection for the tracker and that because the cradle pushed the centre of gravity outward it was causing an imbalance. Crafty as always, Boudewijn refined the design which removed the cradle and replaced it with a piece of flattened ABS pipe covered in reflective material. This balances the DMB much better and provides better impact protection. Using AIS to track a SAR DMB is a huge leap forward and is long overdue. I m extremely excited to share Station 1 s results and I hope other stations move quickly to change out their DMBs to take advantage of AIS tracking technology. I can also see benefits of using this approach for oil spill tracking on the coast. All of our project goals have been achieved and the benefits are numerous. We now have a more than five-fold increase in range which will make retrieval quicker and easier, with substantial fuel savings. The overall cost of the DMB for each station is about the same for the first DMB purchase if you factor in the needed receiver. The savings come when you lose or replace the older Novatech beacon-based DMB, which costs nearly twice as much as fabricating a vmstrack version. Monitoring the DMB in real time and being able to instantly provide updates to JRCC might just be the critical factor that finds the next missing person in time! The full article with manufacturer links is available at Compass 23 September 2016

24 SAR PARTNERS Kitsilano Coast Guard Base Officially Re-Opened RCM-SAR crews were on hand to celebrate the official re-opening of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base on August 8. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, officially re-opened the base on behalf of the Government of Canada. He also confirmed that its role will be expanded to include emergency environmental response, as well as emergency response training for coastal residents and communities. Ceremony attendees included Coast Guard Commissioner Jody Thomas, RCM-SAR President Greg Miller and CEO Pat Quealey, RCM-SAR crews from stations 1 West Vancouver and 2 North Vancouver along with local, provincial and federal politicians and Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nation chiefs and community members. The base, which was closed in early 2013, reopened in May of this year. RCM-SAR is proud to be a partner in marine SAR with the Coast Guard and to be part of the network protecting Vancouver Harbour. Photos: Canadian Coast Guard Compass 24 September 2016

25 ADMINISTRATION UPDATE Member Survey Helps Planning for Future By Rob Duffus, Director of Administration Training, funding and public recognition emerged as the key priorities for nearly 300 members who responded to a recent online survey aimed at helping RCM-SAR set its course for the future. The survey, which was sent to all 1,100 RCM-SAR members, asked for views on RCM-SAR s mission, vision and key strengths. It also asked what motivates members and what potential new activities RCM-SAR should explore. The feedback will help the management team shape a new strategic plan to help guide RCM-SAR during the next five years. The vast majority of respondents listed training as the number one way for RCM-SAR to support their personal goals as a volunteer Photo: Station 27 Facebook Not surprisingly, members overwhelmingly said that helping people, being part of a team, learning new skills and giving back to their community were their key motivators for being part of RCM-SAR. Many stressed the importance of the camaraderie and friendship that comes with being on an RCM-SAR search and rescue crew and the sense of achievement in progressing through RCM-SAR training. The vast majority of respondents listed training as the number one way for RCM-SAR to support their personal goals as a volunteer. There were many suggestions for continued station-based and Station 27 Nanaimo s training weekend, July 2 3 centralized training, refresher courses and more advanced training for coxswains and other experienced crews. Some members noted the challenge of balancing training standards with volunteer availability and commitment. Compass 25 September 2016

26 ADMINISTRATION UPDATE Photo: Graeme Wood, Richmond News as SAR providers. Fewer than 10 per cent of respondents were opposed, citing increased demands on volunteers and a departure from our search and rescue focus. The remainder were undecided. The survey asked for input on potential opportunities in the next five years. There were many suggestions about forming new funding partnerships and training arrangements with governments and other external agencies. A common complaint was the need for stations to fundraise in There were many suggestions about forming new training arrangements with governments and other external agencies Station 10 Richmond training exercise There was general agreement that our Saving Lives on the Water mission statement remains accurate but perhaps does not go far enough given our interest in boating safety and other public services. We asked about expanding those services, particularly in the area of environmental response. Our question specifically about environmental spill response and the potential opportunity for RCM-SAR to support other agencies attracted some very strong opinions. More than three-quarters of respondents strongly supported new activities such as helping to monitor spills and setting up pre-emptive booms in non-contaminated areas, provided there is a clear mandate, adequate training, safeguards to protect crews and vessels and a continuing commitment to our primary role the absence of long-term stable centralized funding. Many respondents noted the lack of public awareness of RCM-SAR and the opportunity to gain more media coverage and general recognition. We asked about the challenges and weaknesses we face, along with recommendations on how to fix them. Members spoke of the need to continue to improve communications between the board of governors, staff, stations and members to boost transparency and inclusion. There were calls for better communications between stations, more support for smaller stations and the need for more headquarters staff to manage new and existing programs. Recruitment and retention is seen as a big challenge across the organization. Many respondents spoke of the aging demographic of RCM-SAR members and the difficulty in attracting and keeping new crew members. There were differing views on the importance of Compass 26 September 2016

27 ADMINISTRATION UPDATE standardizing training and operating protocols and the move towards standardized vessels. Many members supported standardizing as many areas as possible. A minority recommended more autonomy for stations. We really appreciate the time that so many members took to provide thoughtful feedback, which will help us as we develop our strategic plan, said CEO Pat Quealey. This survey has provided a great snapshot of where we are as an organization. In addition to the frank and constructive input, I was very pleased to see so many members express their pride, passion and commitment to RCM-SAR. We will continue to make sure their voices are heard. To view the full member survey report, please go to: ccga-pacific.org/resources/strategic_planning_member_survey_report.pdf Photo: Station 14 Facebook Annual General Meeting 2016 RCM-SAR s AGM is scheduled for Sunday, October 2 at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond. This meeting will include the election of the board of governors and other business, as well as recognition of some incredible SAR missions. For more information, please info@rcmsar.com. Career Opportunity RCM-SAR is seeking a regular part-time financial officer. Reporting to the chief executive officer, this position is responsible for the overall financial operation of this charity. Responsibilities include preparation of the annual budget, yearend financial statements, financial reporting, development and implementation of financial and general administrative systems, risk and contract management and other duties. The ideal candidate will have a recognized accounting designation or be working towards the completion of a designation, supplemented by a minimum of three years financial management experience, preferably with a charitable organization. Applicants are asked to submit an expression of interest including their salary expectations by September 16, 2016 to: Station 14 Gibsons assists a drifting sailboat, August 27 J. G. Johnston Manager Human Resources john.johnston@rcmsar.com Compass 27 September 2016

28 BOATING SAFETY What s New in SAR Prevention By Cathy Dupuis, SAR Prevention Manager Hello RCM-SAR members! Here s a look at some of the many boating safety activities RCM-SAR stations participated in this summer: Joanne Swain and Debbie Thomson from Station 27 Nanaimo along with Station 34 Mill Bay had fun with the grade 2/3 class at École Cobble Hill Elementary. What a great photo and a great opportunity for the two stations to work together. Thank you everyone! We also had Station 27 members attending Paddlefest 2016 with our favorite Bobbie, #1. This particular little Bobbie once travelled quite a bit up and down the island from Nanaimo north entertaining many children and talking to them about being safe on the water. Earlier this summer, Station 54 Campbell River installed a Kids Don t Float board near the boat launch ramp at Pacific Playgrounds, just south of Campbell River. Pictured on the next page is Warren Janes from Pacific Playgrounds and Tony Smith from Station 54 showing off our (to date) smallest board yet. We were able to install four PFDs on the board. Thanks to Tony and Mike Swanston from our Campbell River boating safety station. Station 5 Crescent Beach had a fantastic float and full day at the 67 th annual White Rock Sea Festival and Torchlight Parade. Check out their Facebook page for more great pictures! Compass 28 September 2016

29 BOATING SAFETY One last parade: Station 60 Comox had a great time in the Comox Valley s annual Nautical Days Parade. Rumour has it our safety bear was none other than Comox Station Leader Drew Hadfield! Compass 29 September 2016

30 OPERATIONS What s New in Operations Vessel Safety Inspections Vessel safety inspections are underway for Advanced Rescue Trainer Evaluator and Station 64 Prince Rupert Coxswain Marko Kessler has visited a number of northern and north Island stations in the past few months to conduct these annual inspections. Marko hopes to conduct a total of 11 inspections this year. Marko visited Station 45 Masset in June, conducting some training exercises and discussing vessel replacement options. Station members are ready to replace their current vessel, a Hurricane 753, in the very near future. Marko also visited northern Vancouver Island stations 38 Ucluelet, 43 Port Alice and 50 Port McNeill. Vessels in all these communities are well-maintained and crews are doing very well. Port Alice crews are eagerly awaiting arrival of their new Type I vessel. Marko also inspected RCM-SAR s only inland lake station, Station 106 Shuswap. The station is doing well and their vessel is in excellent condition. Overall, all inspected stations are in great shape. Some stations had minor issues, but all of them were easy on-the-spot fixes. Northern stations are next on Marko s agenda, including stations 63 Kitimat, 65 Lax Kw alaams, 74 Gitxaala and 75 Gingolx. Station 64 Prince Rupert is also scheduled for an Station 43 Port Alice s new vessel with added box protection, ready for rigging inspection, which will be carried out by a senior coxswain from a nearby station. Many thanks go to the inspected stations who welcomed Marko and to Marko for his incredible dedication of his time and expertise to RCM-SAR. Compass 30 September 2016

31 OPERATIONS Vessel Construction Update Completion and delivery of the new Type I dedicated response vessels is progressing. Station 14 Gibsons took delivery of their Type I in late July. Station 1 West Vancouver picked up theirs on August 11. A lumpy ride across Georgia Strait was dampened by the ICE console. The next vessel to be delivered is for Station 43 Port Alice and is expected next month, with Station 36 Saanich receiving theirs at year s end. SAR1B (West Vancouver) hits the water SAR1B (West Vancouver) hits the water Station representative Doug Alderson and Station 36 Saanich hull nearing completion Compass 31 September 2016

32 TRAINING What s New in Training and Exercises RHIOT Training The date for RHIOT nominations has passed; however, there are a few remaining seats open. If you have not submitted your candidates, please do so immediately. Candidates can be submitted (via station leader) to SAR Operations Manager Jason van der Valk at jason.vandervalk@rcmsar.com. Simulator Course Training From Chief Instructor Francois Michaud: We have had two successful Sarnav-1 classes at the new training centre so far and we are very pleased with the new facilities and upgraded simulator. I am currently in the process of recruiting more assistant instructors and have conducted a familiarization/orientation day with some of the available candidates. If you are interested in becoming an assistant instructor, please contact me at francois.michaud@rcmsar.com. The mid- to long-term course schedule for the fall will be finalized once I have the assistant instructors availabilities and commitments. I anticipate running one or two courses in September. Photo: RHIOT Pacific Region Facebook Photo: Rob Duffus Compass 32 September 2016

33 Photo: Station 14 Facebook TRAINING Safety and Training Board Update RCM-SAR s newly-established safety and training board (STB) has come to a final decision in regards to the Salus and North Water PFD approval for all vessel types. The decision document which explains how this was reviewed by the safety and training board went out to all station leaders for implementation in early August. The STB is continuously reviewing training procedures and signoff items in order to better identify the needs of our organization and its operations. New policies are being drafted to help promote standardization and best practices across the organization. Station 14 Gibsons person in water training, August 24 Safety and Training Board Structure & Composition The STB is RCM-SAR s authoritative clearing house for sharing best practices, promoting standardization and resolving training and safety issues across the organization. It is comprised of equal representation of management team and station representation as follows: Chair (voting position): Director of Training and Operations (vacant) Acting Co-Chairs (voting positions): Chief Instructor Francois Michaud & Safety Officer Graeme Bergh Secretary (voting position): SAR Operations Manager Jason van der Valk Membership (voting positions): Station 5 Crescent Beach member Ryan Woodward Station 29 Ladysmith member Brian Cromp Station 61 Pender Harbour member Eliza Kinley Station 60 Comox member Drew Hadfield Station 1 West Vancouver member Michael Cupit Advisors (non-voting positions): Canadian Coast Guard representative Tyler Brand Standards Officer Mark Oliver Additional advisors as deemed necessary Working Groups: Working groups will be developed on a project-by-project basis Personal protective equipment uniformity project is a current example of an active working group Compass 33 September 2016

34 TRAINING Joint Training Exercise A Win for All Involved By Chris Ashurst, Deputy Station Leader, RCM-SAR Station 45 Masset RCM-SAR Station 45 Masset received an enticing opportunity from Canadian Coast Guard s Geoff Denman in August. He invited us to meet up with the CCGS Tanu during its visit to Masset for a meet and greet and to carry out a joint SAREx. The volunteers with Masset Marine Rescue were eager for the chance to carry out training with these professional mariners. CCGS Tanu is a 55-metre 750-tonne west coast SAR and patrol vessel with two Zodiacs and a crew of 15. In the spring of 2015 our 753 Zodiac NorthWard worked closely with the Tanu on our longest and most complex search for a missing boater in Masset Inlet. It was great seeing her back in our waters for a fun, exhausting and highly rewarding SAREx. Our exercise took place the weekend of August off Haida Gwaii. It involved a call from a vessel with an unconscious person below decks. We located the vessel, communicated with the crew, paced and came alongside while underway, and located the subject and provided emergency first aid. The Tanu 1 Zodiac called in saying they had specialized equipment for extraction and additional first aid capabilities. We worked with them to treat, stabilize, package, extract and evacuate the subject to the NorthWard for transfer to shore. Following the exercise we were treated to a tour, lunch and a debrief with the crew. It was recognized by all that working together, coordinating communications and sharing our specialized knowledge was very rewarding for both crews. We look forward to working with CCGS Tanu again next time she s in the neighbourhood! Compass 34 September 2016

35 FINAL WORD What is Good Governance in a Not-For-Profit Organization? By Chris Gouglas, Vice President, Board of Governors, RCM-SAR In most respects, governance and the role of the board in for-profit and not-for-profit (NFP) organizations are the same. In each, the board is responsible for overseeing the management of the organization, setting strategy and ensuring that the organization carries out that strategy in the most effective manner possible. The role of NFPs can however be more complicated in some respects. While forprofit organizations are primarily concerned with maximizing shareholder returns, NFPs have a diversity of goals and must consider a range of stakeholders. For RCM-SAR, these stakeholders include the Coast Guard, governments (local, provincial and federal), members, donors, our communities and, of course, the people that we save on the water. Similarly, NFPs and their boards evolve over time. When an NFP is small, the board may be the members themselves and they may serve as the management of the organization and be involved in the day-to-day activities of the organization. However, as an NFP becomes larger, the role of the board must transition to a governance model. So what is the role of a board in a governance model organization? In a well-run board, the board members are responsible for: a. approving and monitoring the strategy of the organization, both in terms of short- and long-term goals b. analyzing, monitoring and mitigating risks c. monitoring the performance of the organization and addressing non-performance d. ensuring the culture and ethics of the organization e. overseeing (but not managing) critical aspects of the business (financials, integrity of systems and controls, major strategic projects) f. advising, overseeing and mentoring management without managing them These points can be summarized as: (a) drive strategy; (b) analyze and control risk; and (c) monitor the performance of management. Photo: Anthony Smith Compass 35 September 2016

36 FINAL WORD There have been a number of exciting initiatives recently around strategy. The Regional Tasking Report is an analysis of the different strategic directions we can take as an organization. The board and management have been meeting with many different stakeholders in the region and nationally. In addition, we hope that you participated in the most recent member survey so that your voice helps influence the future direction of RCM-SAR. Analyzing the preliminary results, we can already tell how passionate our membership is in serving the community. Analyzing and controlling risk is another key function of the board. This can be seen through revisions to our policies, standardizing equipment, improving training standards, implementing fitness standards and reviewing how our insurance policies may be impacted by changes in our strategy and scope of services. There will continue to be more work done in this area. Finally, the board is responsible for monitoring the performance of management. Traditionally, the board has been very involved in management as opposed to monitoring management. However, as RCM-SAR has expanded and become a more mature organization, there is a natural transition to more reliance on management. The board s job is to put the best people available in management and then let them do their job using their experience, skills and energies without undue interference. Given the speed of accomplishments of our new CEO, even keeping track of these activities is a full-time job! The movement to a governance model does not reduce the importance of the board. It allows the board to concentrate on more long-term strategy and direction for the organization. However, the board is only as good as its directors. RCM-SAR has put out a call for new candidates for the board. The board is constantly looking for board members that will provide diversity and bring new experience and energy to RCM-SAR. Photo: Station 37 Facebook Compass 36 September 2016

37 RESCUE Boat wise and street smart the new line of high quality RCM-SAR apparel brings it all together! Our new partner, Out of the Blue Designs, offers RCM-SAR members a new and improved selection of high quality branded apparel plus much faster delivery times. From business casual to tough foul weather gear, you will look great in RCM-SAR clothing. Check out our new catalog and watch for new products and an online ordering tool soon. To order today, just fill out the form at the back of the catalog and it to clothing@rcmsar.com. Orders will go directly to Out of the Blue Designs.

38 Volunteer Time: = = = 1050 Mission Hours Exercise Hours Training Hours Total Hours Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Day Missions Night Missions Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: By Day of Week August 2016 Stats RCM-SAR Stations Vessels Members facebook.com/rcmsar twitter.com/rcm_sar Missions 83 People Assisted 62

39 RESCUE If you would like to support RCM-SAR, please send your donation and the form below to: Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 6040 East Sooke Road, Sooke BC V9Z 0Z7 Thank you for helping save lives on the water! Compass 38 September 2016