Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue • Station 1 - West Vancouver

06/18/2026

On Tuesday June 16th at 17:43 Station 1 was tasked by the Canadian Coast Guard Regional Operations Centre (ROC) to investigate a 30 foot sailing vessel that was reportedly dragging anchor in Mannion Bay.

Upon arriving on scene the vessel was found adrift outside of Mannion Bay with its anchor ball and line still attached.

The vessel was towed to a safe position and re anchored.

After confirming the vessel was now secure at anchor, SAR 1 returned to base in Horseshoe Bay.

⛵️⚓️⛵️⚓️

06/16/2026

Today at 17:31 Station 1 was tasked by EMCR (Emergency Managment and Climate Readiness) to assist Lions Bay Search and Rescue with an injured cliff jumper. After being accessed and stabilized onshore by a member of LBSAR, an emergency physician, the patient was transported on SAR 1, along with the doctor to Horseshoe Bay pier.

The patient was then handed off to BCEHS and taken for further treatment.

A fantastic response from Lions Bay Search and Rescue, and a great assist from our crew.

🛟🛟🛟

05/25/2026

There was a heavy presence of West Vancouver Police Canadian Coast Guard and BCEHS first responders on the pier and around Station 1 this afternoon.

We were not directly involved.

Man Dies in Scuba Diving Incident

At 1:26 p.m. today, West Vancouver Police received a call of a scuba diver in distress off Whytecliff Park. Multiple agencies, including West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, B.C. Emergency Health Services, and the Canadian Coast Guard arrived to provide assistance, but tragically, the 50-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene. 

The man’s next of kin have been notified. There are no indications of suspicious circumstances related to his sudden death. 

The West Vancouver Police Department extends our deepest condolences to this man’s family and friends, and all those who witnessed this incident today. Anyone impacted by today’s events is encouraged to reach out to Victim Services for assistance by calling 604-925-7468 or through the WVPD website at westvanpolice.ca.

05/05/2026

MAYDAY-- Whale Strike Stanley Park

Yesterday, May 4th, at 19:35, SAR 1B responded to a MAYDAY call whilst training.

The broken radio call described a collision between an operator of a personal watercraft and a whale in the general vicinity of Siwash Rock.

The operator of the Sea-Doo was travelling at a high rate of speed and was ejected from their vessel during the collision with the whale.

A sailboat in the area was able to get the injured operator onto their vessel and administer basic first aid before SAR 2 (North Vancouver) and SAR 1B arrived on scene to administer care to the patient.

The patient was assessed by First Responders from both Station 2 and Station 1 before being packaged and transported on SAR 2 to BCEHS at the Main Street Dock.

A great collaborative effort between the vessel of opportunity, Station 2 and Station 1.

Now, to address the safety of the whale. There is absolutely no way for us to assess the health of the gray whale, but it was seen in the area coming up to breathe.

It is the responsibility of all boaters to maintain situational awareness at ALL times. It is the responsibility of ALL boaters to operate their vessel at a safe speed.

It is the law to maintain a minimum of 100 m distance between your vessel and any whale, dolphin, or porpoise.

In many cases, it is the law to maintain 400 m between your vessel and whales. We encourage everyone to maintain a distance of 400 m whenever they see a whale.

The Marine Education and Research Society has fantastic resources, including an online course, to allow you to become a whale-safe boater.

Marine Education & Research Society

Rcmsar North Vancouver

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue

04/20/2026

Yesterday, Sunday April 19th, at approximately 12:00 Station 1 was tasked to assist in a multi agency response led by the West Vancouver Police to an incident on board a BC Ferries vessel.

Our weekend crew quickly responded and provided on the water coverage in case it was required.

Thankfully the situation was resolved and our crew was stood down after many hours on the water.

Bravo Zulu to all the agencies involved.

03/09/2026

Over the weekend, many of Station 1's crew were out on training missions around the West Vancouver shoreline. The focus was on first aid and first response.

Our crews all have a licensed First Responder or a Doctor on the boat, both during training and when responding to a call on the water.

Keeping these skills up to date and fresh is a never-ending, time-consuming process. BZ to all who took part!

🛟🩺🚨

03/08/2026

To the women who give their time, leadership, and expertise to marine search and rescue — thank you.

You are crew members, coxswains, instructors, mechanics, station leaders, and board members. You train hard. You lead decisively. You answer the call.

Across the global marine industry, women represent roughly 2%. Within Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, women now make up 23% of our volunteers — up from 17.5% in 2023.

That progress didn’t happen by accident.

It happened because women stepped forward — and because allies mentored, advocated, challenged assumptions, and ensured equal access to training, opportunity, and advancement.

When organizations become more representative of the communities they serve, they grow stronger. Diverse crews bring broader perspectives and stronger decision-making.

This is what progress looks like.
This is what a strong team looks like.

And we’re not done yet.

02/22/2026

Sam Reinhart has always looked great in red!

Who else will be setting an alarm for 05:00?

Is it safe to assume we all are?

02/21/2026

Always nice to have the work of Station 1 recognized.

Lynne Block was lucky enough to meet three of our best!

Thank you Lynne for sharing our story and that of RCM•SAR with the Legislative Assembly.

01/29/2026

On January 24th at 13:50, Station 1 was tasked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) to assist with a disabled personal water craft just North of Defence Islands in Howe Sound. SAR 1 arrived on scene and immediately located the stricken vessel with two people on board, as well as a second working PWC with one person on board.

The pair were brought on board, and a long tow was set up. The crew then departed for Squamish Harbour. Not long into the tow, the second PWC also broke down. The third person was brought on board, and the second vessel was added to the tow.

The three people and two watercraft were safely brought back to the ramp in Squamish Harbour, and the crew returned to base in Horseshoe Bay. The crew were safe and secure at 15:49.