The Shuswap marine search and rescue saw the tides of change in 2024 with a shakeup in leadership and a new home base in Sicamous.
In its annual report, the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Station 106 Shuswap said that its crew of 30 volunteers responded to 21 missions, which is less than 35 the previous year. That doesn't mean they weren't busy, however, with missions an average of 3.4 hours for a total of 2,369 for the year.
RCMSAR crews also conducted 158 "on water" exercises for another 466 hours, gave 38 classroom lectures and logged 1,688 hours in prevention programs.
After 12 years of dedicated service as Station Leader, Rob Sutherland left the helm, with Deputy Station Leader Doug Pearce also stepping down after four years in that role.
"We cannot overstate our appreciation for the dedication and leadership Rob and Doug have brought to Station 106," new Station Leader Tamara Lansing said in a media release.
Lansing added that she and the rest of the newly elected leadership team of Doug Wasylenki and Craig Massing "look forward to bringing fresh ideas and perspectives while continuing the leadership legacy of Stn. #106."
Lansing has proven her ability to lead as a crew member, safety officer and dispatcher, and in the Aug. 24 fatal semi crash off the Bruhn Bridge she was the coordinator for multiple agencies. Wasylenki and Massing both bring with them a background in the RCMP and "expertise in organization, planning and patience."
Also new to the RCMSAR is its boathouse, for which they're waiting on provincial approval for a Section 11 permit under the Water Sustainability Act to finish its installation in the Sicamous channel to make it "mission ready."
"There will still be some last touches to be done after occupancy," Bruce Weiker with the associated Shuswap Lifeboat Society said in the release. "And then the planning of an official celebration to mark the completion of this valuable asset to 'Save Lives on the Water'."
