09/18/2026
🛟 Thinking of joining???? 🛟
A lot of interested parties asking about joining so here is an overview of what is involved and where we meet. RCMSAR63 meets every Wednesday from 6:30pm until about 9pm to train. Our meeting room is upstairs in the red and silver boat house located at Nechako Dock on the water. To get here, go to the end of the road past Rio Tinto and park in the parking lot. Follow the gangway down to the boat house. There may be a locked gate until one of the members gets there to unlock it. We are always welcoming new members.
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WHAT’S INVOLVED
Your commitment as an RCMSAR volunteer crew member involves:
Attending regular training sessions and meetings on evenings and weekends
Living or working close to your station’s boat launch
Responding to emergencies on short notice
Occasionally attending community events
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
To volunteer, you must be a great communicator, value teamwork and be able to take direction from your leaders. To be a crew member, you must also:
Be over 19 years of age
Be in good physical condition and able to pass the annual RCMSAR Fitness Test
Pass the three month probationary period
Pass a Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check
Complete the Pleasure Craft Operators Certificate course
Complete the Restricted Operator Certificate – Marine
Attain Marine Basic First Aid, equivalent certification, or higher with CPR/AED Level
To volunteer, you must be either a Canadian Citizen or hold permanent resident status.
YOUR TRAINING
Through RCMSAR’s training program, you will learn basic search and rescue skills, first aid and become familiar with safety and emergency procedures. Your station’s training officers will deliver weekly classroom and on-the-water training where you will develop skills in navigation and communications, seamanship and marine regulations, building your knowledge and confidence to save lives on the water.
Depending on your experience and training hours completed, you can expect to progress from the new crew designation to advance crew and coxswain within three to four years.
Training Level
Average Training Time
New Crew - 3 to 6 months
Crew - 12 to 18 months
Advance Crew - 12 to 18 months
Coxswain - 12 to 24 months
Once crew level is attained, RCMSAR Headquarters provides additional seamanship training at our Training Centre in East Sooke for those volunteers looking to advance to higher crewing or the coxswain level.
Our Training Centre offers an exceptional learning environment. Each year, hundreds of volunteers attend Transport Canada approved courses focused on advanced boat handling skills and SAR skills, navigation and leadership – often in partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard.
To find out even more click on the link below.
http://rcmsar.com/
