Welcome to RCM-SAR 36 Sidney
Home of Sidney's Marine Search and Rescue Volunteers

Who Are We?

Home of the Saanich Marine Rescue Society. We fund and operate the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR)36 vessel based in the Sidney area. Our society supports this vessel with donations from the public and grants received from the Gaming Commission. We value your support and thank you for your valuable contributions.

We are a non-profit society that is funded in part by donations from the public and BC Gaming Grants from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Province of British Columbia.

What We Do For You

• Volunteer members of your community
• Trained in Marine Search And Rescue and Marine Emergency First Aid
• Respond to Marine Emergencies with a fast response vessel in the Southern Gulf Islands and Saanich Inlet 24/7.
• Promote Safe Boating through education

We are looking For Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers who live in the surrounding area to join us. It is rewarding and educational work involving like minded individuals. Please have a look at the video near the top of the page to get an idea of what's involved. If you find it appealing and see this as an opportunity to give back to the community we would like to hear from you. If you wish to chat with one of us please contact us through email at RCMSAR 36 - Recruiting

Or write us a letter at:
RCM SAR 36 - Recruiting
Station 36
PO Box 2364
Sidney, B.C. V8L 3Y3

Frequently Asked Questions

Basic qualifications include:

• Being in good physical health
• Located within 15-20 minutes of our boat at Canoe Cove Marina
• Pleasure Craft Operators Card
• Restricted Radio Operators Card
• Basic Marine First Aid & CPR C (Optional - Training provided)
• Must be at least 19 years old
• We are seeking a 2-3 Year commitment
• All prospective members must clear a Criminal Record Check.

For information on how we can help you meet these qualifications please drop us a note at rcmsar36-recruiting@googlegroups.com

Volunteers receive no remuneration for any aspect of their Search and Rescue activities. Our members receive ongoing training in many aspects of Marine Search and Rescue and in turn are expected to commit time and effort on their part. Aside from regular training we meet once a month to discuss unit business.

Prospective crew members must live within a 15-20 minute response time of our vessel which is located at Canoe Cove marina as our dedicated emergency response vessels are crewed and underway within 10 to 15 minutes of an emergency call out.

Our advanced scheduling system allows you to select the 2-3 watches per week that work best for you including some weekend watches during the month.

Help Support the Saanich Marine Rescue Society?

We gladly accept donations. Our Rescue Vessel, rescue equipment and personal safety gear are all paid for through donations and grants. If you wish to help out financially your contribution is very much appreciated.

To donate online using a credit card, please, click on the "Donate Now" icon. You will be taken to the secure Canada Helps website where your donation will be processed. Your tax receipt will be issued by email.

The Saanich Marine Rescue Society is a registered charity that is managed by volunteers. The Society's mandate is to raise the funds that it uses to support Marine Search and Rescue and Boating Safety related activities on and about the Saanich Peninsula. All donations made to the SMRS are tax deductible.

Contact Saanich Marine Rescue Society

For MARINE EMERGENCIES please call #727 or 1 800 567 5111