Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue - Station 59, Deep Bay

23/10/2026

Community support in action! 🌟

We want to give a massive shoutout to Georgia Park Store for their loyal annual support! Year after year, their generosity helps us Save Lives on the Water.

Local businesses like Georgia Park Store truly make our community a better place. Thank you for believing in our work! 🙏✨

Drop a ❤️ in the comments to show your appreciation!

20/08/2026

We never stop working to sharpen skills. Last week we practiced unknown shore approaches. It's not as easy as it looks! Wind, current and scary underwater rocks make these approaches tricky. Here we are on the rocks near Downes Point on Hornby, and Eagle Rock on Denman. Exploring our local shores gives us the knowledge to make these landings safe for us and the boat. Our new railings made by Iron Fire Metalworx are great!!

18/08/2026

15/08/2026

Thankfully it has been a quiet week for the station with no calls the past 10 days. However, between July 31 and August 5, Station 59 was tasked 7 times!
3 Calls for disabled vessels needing a tow- One a Mayday for a boat taking on water.
2 Environmental assessment calls in F***y Bay for a vessel pump out and repositioning vessels that had run aground.
1 Search for possible people in the water.
1 Stood down before departing the dock
A few photos of what we've been doing...

08/08/2026

Station 59 has been busy! At 18:07 August 4 our crew was tasked to locate a disabled vessel in Georgia Straight off Qualicum Bay. We located the boat at 19:00 with two people on board. We were happy to find every body was safe but the vessel needed a tow to French Creek. It was a beautiful evening and our crew returned to base at 21:55. Remember you can call for help on your cell phone, dial *16 or 911. Call for help on VHF ch 16.

02/08/2026

RCMSAR Station 59 was paged PAN PAN on the evening of July 31, 2026 @ 20:26 hours. 23 minutes later a crew was leaving the dock to look for a small pleasure craft that had engine trouble somewhere off Nile Creek area. The vessel was located with two relieved persons on board. The crew undertook a 2 hour tow to get the small boat to French Creek. Our dedicated crew returned to Deep Bay at 01:05. A 4.5 hour tasking that was executed safely and professionally. Remember you can call for help on your cell phone. Call 911 or *16.

01/08/2026

This BC Day long weekend, thousands of people will be heading out on British Columbia’s lakes, rivers and coastal waters.

However you spend your time on the water—boating, fishing, paddling or exploring—make wearing a lifejacket or PFD part of your plans.

Don't hesitate to say to a family member or friend, "Why aren’t you wearing it?"

Wear a lifejacket or PFD. Every time.

24/07/2026

We’ve heard most of the reasons:
“I’m not going far.”
“The water is calm.”
“I’m a strong swimmer.”
“I’ll put it on if I need it.”

Emergencies rarely give you time to prepare. A sudden fall, collision, medical emergency or change in conditions can put you in the water without warning. You may be cold, frightened, injured or disoriented—and dealing with waves or current. Not the best time to be looking for your PFD and struggling to put it on.

If you're thinking about heading out without a lifejacket or PFD:
Why aren’t you wearing it?

Don’t just bring it with you. Put it on before you leave the shore and keep it on for the entire trip.

Wear a lifejacket or PFD. Every time.

23/07/2026

Recent drowning incidents in British Columbia have been a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong on the water.

As RCMSAR volunteers, we want people to enjoy BC’s waters—and return home safely afterward.

Most people know they should wear a lifejacket or PFD when they're on the water. Many even bring one with them. Yet it can still end up under a seat, inside a locker or somewhere else on the boat instead of being worn.

That's why we're asking one simple question: Why aren’t you wearing it?

It's a question for all of us to consider before leaving the dock or the shore. Put on your lifejacket or PFD before you head out, and keep it on for the entire trip.

Wear a lifejacket or PFD. Every time.

04/05/2026

April’s Monthly ‘Skills and Drills’. Preparing for all marine emergencies we focused on recovering a scuba diver in distress on the surface. Shout out to UB Diving from Courtney for all their support in providing 5 dry suites that our members were able to practice cutting off a ‘diver’ to administer first aid. Thanks to Dave, Station 34 Cowichan, for facilitating the training. Stations supporting each other demonstrates the strength of RCM SAR “one team”.