Search and Rescue

The Canadian Coast Guard is searching for a man who went missing diving off the Winchelsea Islands off Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Search underway for diver who went missing near Nanaimo

Diver did not surface as expected near Winchelsea Islands

The Canadian Coast Guard is searching for a man who went missing diving off the Winchelsea Islands off Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Two adults and a toddler had to be rescued after their small boat lost engine power, took on water and sank against Snake Island near Nanaimo on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Stn. 27)

Fishing trip turns to mayday call after boat founders off island near Nanaimo

Two adults and a toddler safe after assistance from port authority and RCM-SAR

Two adults and a toddler had to be rescued after their small boat lost engine power, took on water and sank against Snake Island near Nanaimo on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Stn. 27)
A team member from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad pauses at the Mount 5040 summit after successfully rescuing an injured hiker, Aug. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD JOHNS, AVRS)

Volunteer searchers from Port Alberni rescue injured hiker on Island mountain

Helicopter called to evacuate hiker from 5040 Peak, southwest of city

A team member from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad pauses at the Mount 5040 summit after successfully rescuing an injured hiker, Aug. 8, 2021. (PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD JOHNS, AVRS)
A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo

Campbell River SAR perform overnight rescue on Vancouver Island’s tallest mountain

Three climbers were under-prepared for backcountry adventure

A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo
While the RCMP Air services helicopter quickly spotted the hikers, there wasn’t a good spot to land so the Mounties utilized teams from both Cowichan and North Shore Search and Rescue. (Citizen file)

Dehydrated hikers rescued from Lake Cowichan’s Bald Mountain

With the temperature above 30 degrees Celsius, a pair of thirsty hikers…

While the RCMP Air services helicopter quickly spotted the hikers, there wasn’t a good spot to land so the Mounties utilized teams from both Cowichan and North Shore Search and Rescue. (Citizen file)
Nanaimo Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue were called by B.C. Ambulance for assistance to airlift an injured woman from the Nanaimo River to an ambulance Tuesday. (Photo: Holly Pulvermacher, Nanaimo Search and Rescue)

Woman with serious injuries airlifted from Nanaimo River

Nanaimo Search and Rescue assisted by North Shore Rescue Tuesday at swimming hole south of Nanaimo

Nanaimo Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue were called by B.C. Ambulance for assistance to airlift an injured woman from the Nanaimo River to an ambulance Tuesday. (Photo: Holly Pulvermacher, Nanaimo Search and Rescue)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue crews were out searching for a man reported missing in the Dashwood area on July 10, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)

Happy ending as 67-year-old man reported missing on Vancouver Island returns home safe

Search and rescue crews said family, neighbours reported concerns

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue crews were out searching for a man reported missing in the Dashwood area on July 10, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)
RCM-SAR #27 volunteers from Nanaimo retrieved two kayakers who had become stranded on rocks near Sayshutsun Newcastle Island Wednesday. (News Bulletin file photo)

Stranded kayakers plucked from rocks near Newcastle Island in Nanaimo

High winds, choppy seas and steep cliffs kept kayakers from reaching safety Wednesday

RCM-SAR #27 volunteers from Nanaimo retrieved two kayakers who had become stranded on rocks near Sayshutsun Newcastle Island Wednesday. (News Bulletin file photo)
A Comox Valley Search & Rescue team member checks the area around the van for occupants. Photo courtesy Comox Valley Search & Rescue.

Comox Valley Search and Rescue called out after van drives down embankment

Comox Valley Search & Rescue (CVSR) was called out Wednesday afternoon to…

A Comox Valley Search & Rescue team member checks the area around the van for occupants. Photo courtesy Comox Valley Search & Rescue.
A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Fisherman rescued after falling overboard in Alberni Inlet

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station, Coast Guard assisted in efforts

A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Two climbers were rescued after becoming stranded trying to descend on their climbing route. Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue said the climbers did the right thing by calling for assistance and staying put. (Westcoast Search and Rescue Society Facebook photo)

Helicopter swoops in from Comox to rescue stranded climbers near Tofino

Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue reminds adventurers to have a plan and be prepared

Two climbers were rescued after becoming stranded trying to descend on their climbing route. Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue said the climbers did the right thing by calling for assistance and staying put. (Westcoast Search and Rescue Society Facebook photo)
Bernadette Jordan addresses the media following a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on January 14, 2019. Jordan says the government will provide $2 million to allow First Nations to continue to strengthen the marine safety system across Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

First Nations receive federal funds to purchase marine rescue boats

Quatsino, Heiltsuk, and Kitasoo First Nation’s among eight across Canada to receive funding

Bernadette Jordan addresses the media following a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on January 14, 2019. Jordan says the government will provide $2 million to allow First Nations to continue to strengthen the marine safety system across Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
CVSAR search the Puntledge River following a report of an abandoned kayak. Photo, CVSAR Facebook page

Comox Valley Search and Rescue spends four hours searching for no one

Overturned kayak a reminder for public to contact officials if they have to abandon a watercraft

CVSAR search the Puntledge River following a report of an abandoned kayak. Photo, CVSAR Facebook page
There is an emergency shelter near the Golden Ears peaks. (Facebook/Special to The News)

Hiker fogged in on Golden Ears, spends 2 nights

Talon Helicopters, Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue bring him home Monday

There is an emergency shelter near the Golden Ears peaks. (Facebook/Special to The News)
Comox Valley Search and Rescue helped a camper who went for a hike above Comox Lake late Saturday night. Photo by CVSAR

Camper rescued from cliffs above Comox Lake

Comox Valley Search and Recuse assists in helping hiker a kilometre past Cumberland campsite

Comox Valley Search and Rescue helped a camper who went for a hike above Comox Lake late Saturday night. Photo by CVSAR
Photo courtesy of Captain Ben Collin, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.

Comox rescue squadron flies through poor weather to rescue ill patient near Port Hardy

The fog turned out to be no match for the squadron’s skilled search and rescue technicians

Photo courtesy of Captain Ben Collin, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue manager Ken Neden, as he goes over the events of the Qualicum Falls river rescue on Dec. 12, 2020, for a United Kingdom television program “Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’. (Mandy Moraes photo)

TV show spreading news of daring B.C. river rescue across the world

Arrowsmith SAR trio share their accounts for ‘Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue manager Ken Neden, as he goes over the events of the Qualicum Falls river rescue on Dec. 12, 2020, for a United Kingdom television program “Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera’. (Mandy Moraes photo)
What3words was first created in the U.K. in 2013 and is credited to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts around the world. (Contributed)

‘This is a life saving tool’: App helps paramedics find capsized canoeists near Revelstoke

What3words pinpoints the person’s phone location to a three-meter range

What3words was first created in the U.K. in 2013 and is credited to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts around the world. (Contributed)
Parks Canada and Tla-o-qui-aht public works dig the washed up Princess M out from sand along the south shore of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Rescue attempt costs man his boat off Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Coast Guard response questioned after volunteer responder’s speedboat capsizes in heavy swells

Parks Canada and Tla-o-qui-aht public works dig the washed up Princess M out from sand along the south shore of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members, before descending into a gorge near Nile Creek to rescue an injured woman on Sunday, May 2, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)

SAR crews help rescue hiker who plunged 10 metres onto rocks near Qualicum

Helicopter with winch system required for technical operation in remote location

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue members, before descending into a gorge near Nile Creek to rescue an injured woman on Sunday, May 2, 2021. (ASAR Twitter photo)
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