PARA Marine Search & Rescue

05/28/2026

and PARA Marine Search & Rescue are teaming up. Durham College students in the Faculty of Media, Art & Design, and Business will be creating videos, still images, and written content to share PARA’s message across the region. Check out the first video - shot at one of our training events.

05/27/2026

Last night we were joined by members from the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS York Reserve Division, Oshawa detachment for a ride along to show them the waterfronts and harbours we patrol on a regular basis. It was a very insightful night for all. Collaboration comes from all levels. It only makes us stronger.

05/25/2026

Last week we joined MADD Durham Region, MADD Canada, Durham Regional Police Service, and COMRA Marine Rescue to kick off the season’s safe boating awareness campaign. Our cooperation and partnership with these agencies is key to keeping the waters of Durham Region (and beyond) safe.

05/15/2026

On May 3rd, 2026, we celebrated our annual Ops Day. This day is dedicated to preparing, refreshing, and regrouping to ensure we’re ready for the upcoming season. For us, the patrol season officially begins today. During Ops Day, we review new strategies and equipment, introduce new members to our experienced crew, and revisit essential procedures that should always be top of mind. As the crew heads out tonight to patrol Lake Ontario, they’ll be well-prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead. Have a safe and enjoyable boating season!

05/10/2026

To all the amazing mothers out there, from all of us at PARA Marine Search & Rescue, have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

05/07/2026

It's a sad time for the international search and rescue (SAR) community as two volunteers from Marine Rescue New South Wales, Australia recently lost their lives while responding to a SAR. It's a somber reminder of the dangers we all face when we head out to answer a call. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their fellow crew members at this difficult time.

Fair winds and following seas.

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

05/05/2026

🎉 Highlights from our 2026 AGM! 🎉
Awards: Each year we honour the best of last season. And 2025 is no different. A huge shoutout to our winners, Matthew Crane for Rookie of the Year, and Zachary Eyre as our Above and Beyond award. A big thanks to both for their outstanding contributions.
Leadership: We’re excited to welcome Jeff Blundell to the Board as our new Director of Communications and a further congratulations to Colin Thomson on his unanimous re-election as Commodore (Unit Leader)! With new skills and past experience, we are confident we can continue to grow and thrive.
Promotions: Join us in celebrating the promotions of both Justin Marshall (Unit Training Officer) and Justin Tumino (Vice-Commodore, Deputy Unit Leader). All the best in your new roles, both well earned, we look forward to your successes.
Recognition: Our strength is our people and to that end we want to take a moment to recognize both Lorenzo Pistritto (Crew Member) and Jennifer McGuinty (Secretary / Treasurer) for 5 years of dedicated service! With your continued participation, we know we are all in good hands.
Special Announcement: Thank you to Stephanie Thomson and Brian Stephens from Durham College’s Faculty of Media, Art and Design for unveiling an exciting new collaboration with PARA Marine Search and Rescue. Stay tuned for more! 🚤

04/22/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week, a time to pause and reflect back on all of the time, energy and passion groups of dedicated people in local communities and around the globe, give to help others. For a search and rescue unit like ours, many people are often surprised when we talk about the personal commitment made to keep our vessel running, our equipment ready and our crews safe. From our Board Members to our Executive and, of course, to all of our crews it truly is a Herculean effort. And when one sees all this effort unfold on weekends, late nights and early mornings, it’s easy to forget these are just ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We thank all of them for their commitment, and their service. The waters of Lake Ontario are safer knowing they are ready to head out at a moment’s notice.

04/20/2026

Last weekend our members were joined by and Marine Unit for our annual pool training exercise Dunbarton Indoor Pool. The focus of this session is to teach our crews critical life-saving skills and experiences including:
The steps necessary to first deploy and then successfully use a life raft
How to bring a person in the water (PIW) onboard using our Jason’s Cradle
The proper way to wear critical marine Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including PFD’s, floater suits, and immersion suits
To really understand what it feels like to have a kisbee ring (or life ring) or a throw bag tossed to a PIW to help understand the right way to do it safely.

Having the ability to train our crews in a controlled pool environment gives our members a real sense of how it feels be the person in need. It also encourages teamwork amongst our peers both within our units and in our local area. Thank you to for capturing the event. Photo credits to and - Video credits to and .tran_ and – .visuals

04/12/2026

Friday we had a chance to honour one of our soon to depart members, Cyril Wellman. Close to 100 taskings covering 193 hours, 600 hours on patrol with a total of over 1,100 hours of sea time but the numbers don’t even begin to tell the story. While Cyril was only a member of our unit for 12 years, the legacy he leaves behind is immeasurable. A pioneer in the Safety Officer role, often having to remind us to always look after ourselves, his passion for helping others both in the crews on out on or in the water are unmatched.

Problem-solver, Trainer, Leader, Coxswain and Safety Officer are just some of the labels that one can use to describe his time with us and there are so many. But for most of us, the one that immediately comes to mind is FRIEND. Yes, it’s almost time for Cyril to move on to his next chapter but the imprint he leaves behind on PARA Marine SAR, will last forever... Thank you Cyril