B.C. community gaming grant money will go to buy marine safety equipment for crew members of Nanaimo Marine Search and Rescue.
The B.C. Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Development announced $5.7 million in community gaming money to non-profit public safety organizations and the society, which does search and rescue operations on the water, will see an allotment of $50,000.
According to Jerry Berry, search and rescue society spokesman, dry suits, personal flotation devices and strobe lights are among the items. Outfitting each volunteer is an expensive endeavour, he said.
“Personal equipment for each member is in, say, $1,500 to $2,000,” said Berry.
Volunteers must be on the ready 365 days a year and Berry said if there is money left over, it will be put into an emergency fund.
“We need to make sure that [our] boats are available to go at any time, so if in fact there were a failure unforeseen, it's really for contingency to make sure we have operational awareness,” said Berry.
In addition, the society is anticipating more than $17,000 in money from the Regional District of Nanaimo, which is currently going through its budget process for 2016.
“The provincial [money] is going more towards capital,” said Berry. “The regional stuff will go to both capital and operating, so fuel, training, stuff like that. It all supports our operations.”
Provincial gaming money will also go to a number of mid-Island groups. The Decourcy Island Community Association will receive $10,000, while the Mid-Island Air Search and Rescue Society and Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association will receive $7,500 each.