CCGA-P 59 and LCMRS News

Revised 2010.08.29

Visitors 2010 Aug 25

There were already two boats tied up to the LCMC when the Lindsay arrived. Unit 59 happened to be discussing plans for the Fall Fair on the patio. An officer (I believe it was Corporal John Stringer) asked if they could tie up, Bemused, we said "Well, you can try." Then they asked if they could run a bow line to the dock. In lieu of moorage, we accepted a tour of the Lindsay while they cooked dinner. In case of a call-out, all we had to do was bang on the Lindsay's cabin wall and they would haul in the bow line immediately. Later, John spent some time with us explaining pernalties for boating safety violations. In one incident, some jet skiers were making pests of themselves in Tribune Bay. The Lindsay was nearby, and dropped anchor in the middle of the bay. Suddenly the whole bay became quiet. There was no more trouble that night.

Marine Rescue Station 59

(Thank you BC Gaming,Regional Districts and local friends!)

Dedication Ceremony Held May 1st

Letter concerning manned lightstations on behalf of Unit 59.

(Adobe PDF file 87.4 kB)

Ribbon-Cutting at the Lighthouse Country Marine Centre!

There may be some amongst us who remember the old-fashioned threshing bees and barn-raising bees, where neighbours banded together to help one of their number with a major project. In Deep Bay, that tradition is not dead! The Deep Bay community rallied behind the urgent need of their local Coast Guard Auxiliary to build a training centre and storage area in Deep Bay harbour. It took three years of volunteer labour and financial support from divers sources to build
1. a float,
2. a storage area and
3. the main building. This doesn't include the planning and design time! We call the floating building the Lighthouse Country Marine Centre. Most of the labour from outside Unit 59 came from members of Deep Bay Yacht Club, and they will therefore be our main tenant. However, when the classroom is not being used by the Auxiliary or the Yacht Club, it is available for general use by the community, who supported us through our years of financial campaigning. We only ask for a donation to help with the maintenance. (In some cases, special insurance may be required of the user.) So we were delighted to welcome the community at our dedication ceremony on May 1st to help us celebrate the culmination of an incredible amount of hard work and dedication from our local men and women (that's right; lovely local ladies helped with design ideas, painting, insulation stuffing, food for workers, encouraging words, ...and much more). In addition, many spouses were left to their own designs by team members who answered the call of duty. So it was à propos that our Unit Leader's wife, Sandra, acknowledged the sacrifice of those who were left to their own designs while their partners were down at the docks, working day after day for many weeks at a time. Deep Bay is accessed from Inland Hwy. #19 via the Cook Creek Exit (#87). Turn right at Hwy. 19A, follow the signs to Deep Bay via Gainsburg Road, take Gainsburg to its end, and park along Gainsburg, Crome, Burne or Deep Bay Drive (much of the parking lot will be closed off for Harbour Days). Walk out on the causeway, take the ramp down to the right (through the gate), and make your way to the central wharf (dock 2) with the new building (and the DRV Mapleguard, pictured above) at its end. The LCMC is officially moored at slip #80A. Following the ribbon-cutting (and a few words from officers and special guests), coffee and doughnuts were available in the new building.

2010 April 24

We got 'er done!

The Lighthouse Country Marine Centre has power and plumbing to the galley. The head will be installed later, when funds become available. The long-awaited exterior painting will commence soon, hopefully with financial support from Benjamin-Williams Paints. If not, we will have to do some more fund-raising! At any rate, CCGA Station 59 is up and running! In fact, it has already begun serving its purpose of classroom training, as Chris Rasmussen gave the MED-A course to Unit 59 March 8 and 9 last. DBYC will have their first (executive) meeting April 8.

Welcome all!

Photos courtesy of H. Niet

2010 March 23: Bowser Legion President Rick Nickerson presents LCMRS President Nelson Eddy with a cheque for the new Lighthouse Country Marine Centre, a training centre and storage area for CCGA Unit 59, Deep Bay. (Photo credit: Trish Nickerson) Legion Grant Awards 2009.11.24

2009 Nov. 24. Recipients of Awards at Bowser Legion. The Donation Chairman, Ron Quail, is on the extreme right. Bowser Legion President Peter Bennett is on the extreme left. (Photo: Trish Nickerson)
Union Bay Credit Union @ Lighthouse Country Marine Centre

Union Bay Credit Union @ Lighthouse Country Marine Centre

2010 Nov. 18: Bryan Fisher of Union Bay Credit Union passing a cheque to Nelson Eddy of the Lighthouse Country Marine Rescue Society. Witnessing the event (L>R) Project Manager George Williamson, Alvin Meldrum, Gerry Caillé, Don Manness and Jack Ryvers. We are grateful to the many other hard-working and skilled volunteers who were absent when this picture was taken. Photo credit: Dianne Eddy.

2010 Oct 21: Dinner at the Cobblestone Inn, following Simulator Course with Given Popowich at Victoria.
(L>R) Kelly Erickson, George Williamson, Coxswain Lorne Erickson, Hugh Jackson, Bon Thorburn, Richard Porter, Larry Highcock and Nelson Eddy. Picture credit: Bon's Blackberry in the hands of one of the attentive Inn staff .

The New Marine Search and Rescue Centre

Construction Photos

Loading roofing materials onto a float to be moved to the site using Lawrence's famous "tug" boat.

2010 Feb 3: First CCGA 59 Meeting in Lighthouse Country Marine Centre

L->R: Phil Dyck, Cliff Leblanc, Ted Vitanov, Hugh Jackson, Treasurer Gerry Caillé (head down), Unit Leader Richard Wahlgren. Back to camera, George Williamson

North Side

L->R Secretary Richard Porter, Jim McLean, Coxswain Lorne Erickson, George Williamson, Bon Thorburn, Bob Fleming.

Richard, conveying the Unit's appreciation for George's work as project manager

Richard, conveying the Unit's appreciation for George's work as project manager

Richard, conveying the Unit's appreciation of George's hard work and construction skills as Project Manager for the Lighthouse Country Marine Centre.

George pointing out the effort was supported

George pointing out the effort was supported

Richard still extolling George's contribution.

Still talking

George pointing out the skills and motivation of the combined work parties (Unit 59 members and local boating community members).

The Golden Hammer Award

The Golden Hammer Award made by Richard Porter in collusion (and secrecy) with the Unit Leader.