Marine rescue unit has new leader

Theres a new man at the helm of the Comox Valley Marine Rescue, with Brian Cameron being named Unit 60 leader following an election.
Cameron joined Unit 60 in 1996 and has been an active coxswain and unit training officer for the past eight years.
He was also appointed the director of training for the British Columbia region of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2003 and has been awarded a regional Certificate of Commendation as well as a National CCGA Leadership Medal of Excellence.
Membership in Unit 60 has been a real family affair. His wife Sheila is also a member, while his son David was a member before leaving the Comox Valley to join the Canadian Forces.
Camerons daughter Heather, who has recently returned home, is in the process of also becoming a marine rescue volunteer with Unit 60.
Cameron said hes proud to be the leader of Unit 60, which has a membership of about 45 marine rescue volunteers. The unit operates the Bruce Brown II, one of the best-equipped fast-response rescue vessels on the British Columbia coast, the unit says.
Unit 60 has been busy during the past few months assisting boaters in distress and completing work on a new marine rescue station at the Comox marina.
Now its time to start a new search and rescue crew level training course for new members.
According the Daryl Dancer-Wade, Unit 60s media officer, the unit is making plans for a newly acquired zodiac Mark V support vessel and a new boating safety trailer, which will enhance the already successful boating safety program.
Unit 60 also plans to add a jet-drive rigid-hull inflatable rescue vessel to its assets. This new shallow-draft rescue vessel will allow the marine rescue volunteers to better assist boaters in the shallow waters along the Comox Valley shorelines, areas around the estuary and up the river at the Courtenay Airpark.
The Bruce Brown II is a community-owned rescue vessel that is funded by charitable donations made to the Comox Valley Marine Rescue Society.
The vessel and its volunteers respond to marine emergencies in the area encompassing Campbell River, Powell River and French Creek.
Unit 60 depends not only upon the dedicated volunteers that make up the crews, but also upon financial donors who are critical to ensuring that this valuable service, upon which the safety of so many depends, continues to remain viable, says Dancer-Wade.
If you are interested in volunteering to be a marine rescue specialist, contact Marine Rescue Society President Mark Purcell at 339-3305 or Cameron at 897-1448.

-article from the Comox Valley Echo, September 27, 2006 edition

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